Register Your Team

Find A Local PGA Facility

Search to find all PGA-staffed facilities and Local Qualifying Events in your area.

Special Olympics

Testimonials

"Some of the things we miss as tour professionals are to play in these type events. They are truly special."

Chris DiMarco
PGA Tour Professional,
Team McGladrey Member

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is The McGladrey Team Championship?

The McGladrey Team Championship is an exciting nationwide tournament that brings together PGA Professionals and amateurs in a grassroots best ball amateur championship.

The Championship is a result of a partnership between The PGA of America and RSM McGladrey as the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting Firm of The PGA of America. The third McGladrey Team Championship will return October 26 - 28, 2009 to world-renowned Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

The McGladrey Team Championship is operated and managed by The PGA of America, and culminates at Pinehurst via a series of Local Qualifying Events and PGA Section Championships. The National Championship field consists of 41 four-person teams. Competition is open to golfers of all levels.

2. How does an amateur establish a USGA approved handicap index?

1. Go to your nearest public or private golf course that employs a PGA Professional.
2. Talk with the PGA Professional about establishing a handicap at that facility.
3. Set up your handicap account and pay account fee.
4. Start playing and post your scores.
5. A minimum of five (5) 18 hole rounds must be posted to establish a handicap index.

3. How do I find my local PGA facility?

To use the PGA facility search tool, click here.

4. What are the guidelines for forming a team?

To form a team for a Local Qualifying Event all three amateurs must have a USGA approved handicap index. The total maximum handicap index of all three partners combined will be no more than 54.0 if all male, 70.0 if one female, 80.0 if two female and 90.0 if all three female.

NOTE: If the total handicap index is greater then those listed, the player with the highest Handicap Index may play off a lower Handicap Index to make the team eligible. If the highest handicap index will be reduced significantly the reduction may be taken over two or three of the amateurs reducing the indexes evenly.

5. How is the USGA approved handicap index applied?

Each team member’s handicap index should be converted to the course handicap for the tees being used. The course handicap is then multiplied by 75% to calculate the number of strokes each team member receives. (0.5 and higher is rounded up). Ladies will then calculate the difference between Men’s Tee Course Rating and the Women’s Tee Course Rating and add (or subtract) the difference to the Ladies adjusted Handicap. Men take strokes from the men’s stroke index. Women take strokes from the women’s stroke index of the course being played.

6. Does the amateur need a current USGA handicap to enter?

Yes, for an amateur to participate in The McGladrey Team Championship they must have a current Type 1 or Type 2 USGA approved handicap index.

All handicaps will be verified by the host PGA Professional, PGA Section or PGA Headquarters.

7. What is a Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 Golf Club?

Type 1 Golf Club: It is located at a single specific golf course with a valid USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating where a majority of the club’s events are played and the club’s scoring records reside.

Type 2 Golf Club: Its members are affiliated or known to one another via a business, fraternal, ethnic or social organization. The majority of the club members had an affiliation prior to organizing the club.

Type 3 Golf Club: The members of a Type 3 club had no prior affiliation and a majority of the recruiting and sign up of the membership is done by solicitation to the public (e.g. newspaper, Internet).

Note: Type 3 Golf Club handicap indexes are not accepted for The McGladrey Team Championship.

8. How do I apply a Plus (+) handicap?

When a player has a plus-handicap the handicap is to be adjusted bringing that player’s handicap closer to zero. For example, a player with a course handicap of plus 2 would be adjusted by 75% to plus 1.5 which would then be rounded to plus 1 (rounding toward zero). One stroke would then be added to that player's score on the 18th handicap hole in that round.

For more information please see Section 9-3 of the USGA Handicap Manual .

9. What is the format of the Championship?

Local Qualifying Events: One round (18 holes), one best net ball of three players (three amateurs)

Section Championships: One round (18 holes), two best net balls of four players (three amateurs and a PGA Professional)

National Championship: Three rounds (54 holes), two best net balls of four players (three amateurs and a PGA Professional)

Each player’s score must be used on a minimum of three (3) holes each round.

10. Is there a minimum number of teams a facility must have in order to host a Local Qualifying Event?

Yes, in order to hold a Local Qualifying Event, a facility must have a minimum of seven (7) unique teams (21 amateurs) to have an official event.

11. What are the entry fees for each level?

Amateur entry fees are as follows (per amateur):
Local Qualifying Event: $55 (plus applicable course fees)
Section Championship: $100
National Championship: $100

12. What does the entry fee cover?

The entry fee covers the tee gift(s) which are of equal or greater value. Additional course fees may apply at a Local Qualifying Event only. There are not additional course fees at the Section or National Championships.

13. What happens if the event is cancelled for any reason (such as weather)?

If an event is cancelled and not rescheduled, all amateurs will be notified by email and refunded their entry fee. All refunds will be applied to the credit card on file.

14. Is an amateur allowed to participate in multiple Local Qualifying Events?

An amateur may participate in multiple Local Qualifying Events as long as the team that the amateur is competing on does not advance to the Section Championship. Once a team has advanced to the Section Championship, the amateurs are prohibited from participating in additional Local Qualifying Events. Amateurs may only participate on one team per Local Qualifying Event.

15. May a player on a team that advances to the Section or National Championship be substituted?

If any amateur is unable to participate in the Section or National Championship he/she may be replaced by someone with the same or higher handicap, as of the Local Qualifying Event play date, than the person they are substituting for and the replacement must play from the lower handicap of the two and must be the same gender. Once a player is substituted he/she cannot then come back onto the team at the next level. At least one member from the original team must be able to play in the Section and National Championships; if not the second place team will then advance.

16. What handicap index does an amateur use if their handicap index changes between the Local Qualifying Event and the Section Championship or before the National Championship?

The amateur will use the lower of the two handicap indexes, the Local Qualifying Event handicap or their current handicap index. If the amateur’s handicap index changes prior to the National Championship the amateur will use the lowest of their Local, Section, or current handicap index.

17. Will prizes be awarded?

At the Section and National Championships, amateurs will compete for gift certificates. Gift certificates for the amateurs are redeemable at the club that is hosts the Section Championship. Awards will be given to the top 3 places at the Section and National Championships.

18. What are the rules and regulations of the Championship?

The Rules of Golf, which govern play, are determined by the United States Golf Association and applied by The PGA of America Board of Directors. The Championship is subject to the overall supervision of The Board and The PGA Rules Committee.

19. How many teams advance to the Section and National Championship?

For each Local Qualifying Event that has a minimum of seven teams and a maximum of seventeen teams, one team will advance to the Section Championship. For Local Qualifying Events, that have 18 or more teams, two teams will advance to their designated Section Championship. Only one team per Section Championship will advance to the National Championship.

20. Who operates The McGladrey Team Championship?

The McGladrey Team Championship is owned and operated by The PGA of America. PGA Professionals will operate the Local Qualifying Events and the 41 PGA Sections Offices will operate the Section Championships in conjunction with the guidelines set forth by the National Office. The National Championship will be operated by the National PGA of America staff.