With spring around the corner, hundreds of golfers from across the state are eagerly anticipating the start of Texas League Play.
Established by the TGA in 2006, Texas League Play promotes the game’s inherent values such as fellowship, camaraderie, and a competitive spirit through inter-club matches. The unique format of the matches, which utilizes the World Handicap System to level the playing field for all skill levels, provides many golfers with an opportunity to bond with fellow members, play different courses and make new friends, all while enjoying some lively competition in a welcoming environment.
“We are excited for another season of Texas League Play and hope to see lots of new and familiar clubs participating,” said Justin Guthrie, TGA Tournament Director. “This will be our 18th year conducting Texas League Play and we look forward to continue growing the event so more golfers can have a chance to experience the thrill of representing their home club or course in a team match play tournament.”
Texas League Play is open to all TGA Member Clubs (public and private) that maintain at least one 18-hole regulation-length golf course with a current USGA Course and Slope Rating. Registration for the 2022 season opened on Jan. 5 and will close at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23.
To keep travel time to a minimum, conferences are formed in different geographic regions and consist of four clubs that are in the same general area. A conference may be established anywhere in the state where there are four clubs interested in competing against each other. The exact number of conferences varies from year to year based on how many clubs sign up. In 2021, for example, there were a total of 60 clubs competing in 15 conferences, tying a record for League Play’s highest participation numbers.
Texas League Play kicks off annually in March with each club playing a home-and-away series against the other clubs in its conference for a total of six regular-season matches. A club can have as many representatives as it wants on its team. PGA Professionals which are employed by the club are also encouraged to participate. Eight players are needed for each match, so most clubs stock their rosters to ensure they can field a full squad on a given day and have flexibility in scheduling.
Each team match consists of four four-ball matches. Each four-ball match is worth a total of 3 points using the Nassau scoring system. The team earning 6.5 points or more out of the 12 available, wins the overall team match.
Three of the four matches in each team match are played with net scoring, which encourages golfers of all abilities to participate. Only the first match in each team match is played as a scratch game. The other three four-ball matches use a player’s current WHS Handicap Index from the day prior to the scheduled match, with adjustments based on course rating and slope.
The first two four-ball matches are played at about 6,800 total yards. The third and fourth matches are played at about 6,500 yards, which is tailor-made for mid- to higher-handicappers.
At the conclusion of this year’s regular season, which runs from March 3 to May 8, conference winners will advance to the single-elimination bracket tournament, to be held June 2-5 on the Slick Rock Course at Horseshoe Bay Resort, to determine the overall champion.
At the 2021 League Play Championship Playoffs held at Horseshoe Bay Resort, Midland’s Green Tree Country Club defeated Granbury’s Pecan Plantation Country Club, 8.5-3.5, in the final match. It was the second overall title for Green Tree, which also won in 2012.
For more detailed information about Texas League Play, click here. If you and other golfers at your club would enjoy being part of this unforgettable experience and have questions about getting started, email Justin Guthrie at the TGA.