An Uncommon Way Forward

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

2024 Chicagoland Golf Challenge (CGC)

The Chicagoland Golf Challenge (CGC) is a production of the John Anthony George Foundation (JAGF), nfp - 501c3. Annually, the JAGF hosts golf events that appeal variably to golfers of every age, ability and interest.

2024 Chicagoland Golf Challenge (CGC) is a 12 minimum/20 maximum single player competition.

1. Three traditional style, 18 hole, qualifying rounds of golf.

*Prairie Landing GC

*Blackstone GC

*Highland Woods GC

All rounds need to be completed, at each player's discretion, and scores reported prior to the CGC Championship in September.

2. One CGC Championship. Orchard Valley GC. (September 7, 2024).

This tournament will have 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for both high gross and high net (handicapped) finishers.

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2024 Chicagoland Golf Challenge

NO ENTRY OR REGISTRATION FEE REQUIRED.

A 12 MINIMUM/20 MAXIMUM SINGLE PLAYER COMPETITION

ENROLL UP UNTIL May 31, 2024: (Enrollment is FULL. Waiting list only.)

PLAY BEGINS ON June 1, 2024

1. Invitations are extended to those seeking tour-style play, the design of which - by providing several different and unique course venues - is appealing for the exceptional experience it promises. We encourage CGC entrants to 'buddy up' when planning to register.

Players may play some or all of the regular season courses one or more times using the approved CGC style and rules of play and score reporting of points. However, each player will ultimately ONLY report 3 scores, each reflecting a different course played, prior to competing in the CGC's Championship slated for September. Once a score for a given regular season course is reported, however, that score is considered FINAL and irrevocable.

All 3 scores must have been reported no later 8/31/24 to qualify the team for CGC Championship play on 9/7/24.

Each player's total regular season rounds completed and points earned will be web-posted in real time. Your handicap will not be known until final regular season play has concluded.

2. Score-reporting: Your score is reported to us as total points earned for the round of 18. Par = 1 pt. Birdie = 2 pts. Eagle = 3 pts. Double Eagle 4 pts. Hole in one = 5 points.

3. CGC play generally will include 'Forward Tees' selection. This promotes the thrill of pro-style scoring scenarios and go-for-the-green temptations. In fact, the 2022 U.S. Open at Brookline featured these yardages to par: #5 - par 4 - 310 yards. #11 - par 3 - 131 yards. #17 - par 4 - 373 yards. The 2022 Open championship at St Andrews included 5 par 4s under 400 yards.

4. You'll not have to worry about dedicating yourself to typical, inflexible league-designated days and times to compete. You play each of the 3 regular courses at your convenience. Pick the time that suits your schedule. Buddy up with other CGC members if so desired. Perhaps some will choose to play and score their round by CGC format and rules even when playing along side others who are not members,

Once you submit your 3 scores, each from a different course, on or before TBD, you will qualify for CGC championship play on TBD. Again, while you may choose to play the courses offered many times, you will ultimately report just 3 scores, each from one of the 3 different regular courses.

5. This is not match play. So, NO conceding putts or gimme tap-ins for par or better. Remember, you are always competing against the rest of the field (even though they may not be present) and not just a CGC player you may have chosen to be paired with for any particular round. Stroke play enforcement of holing out prevails here. Those downhill one-footers now may present a whole new sense of what-if. Remember, your single score on each hole is reported as points, not strokes.

The CGC Championship high net medalist will be handicapped to ensure each player has an equal opportunity to win among qualifying contestants.

Handicapping formula: Use each player's 3 regular season reported scores as the basis for handicapping. Add the 3 scores together and calculate their per round average. The difference between each player's per round average score versus the lowest player's per round average score is that player's handicap to be applied to its final points scoring.

Example: CGC regular season play finishes with 20 qualifying players. The lowest scoring player - John Doe - earned a total of 50 regular season points, his per round average reported as 16.7 (to one decimal point). Joe Doe, John's brother, finishes with a total of 57 regular season points, his per round average reported as 19.0 (to one decimal point). Since John Doe incurs no handicap relative to any of the higher scoring players, Joe Doe, on the other hand, inherits a -2.8 point handicap (19.0 minus 16.7) to be applied to its tour championship final points scoring.

At the conclusion of championship play, John Doe cards a 19. Joe Doe cards a 22. John Doe, as having the lowest scoring per round average score going into championship play, keeps his score of 19.0. Joe Doe ultimately cards a handicap adjusted score of 19.2 (22 minus 2.8). Joe Doe would win by .2 points were the competition simply between the two.

*The importance of applying the HONOR system when recording and reporting legitimate scores throughout this competition cannot be over-stated. Remember, you alone are self-reporting your scores.

The 3 regular season rounds you choose to report must be submitted no later than 8/31/24.

Sign up today - provided spots are available - by texting your name and a preferred textable cell number to 773-230-8817. While your name will obviously be required to track standings and results, any contact information will be held in the strictest of confidence unless you consent otherwise.

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While NO player entry or registration fee is required to enroll, we welcome a ONE TIME ONLY donation, IN ANY AMOUNT, to support John Anthony George Foundation, 501c3 initiatives:

1. If you have a PayPal account then use this link to make payment: www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/2171665

2. If you do not have a PayPal account then proceed making payment as follows:

Using a computer ... go to www.anuncommonwayforward.blogspot.com (JAGF website). Find the DONATE button at the upper left of the Home page. Enter the amount and choose 'Donate with a Credit or Debit Card'.

Using your phone ... access the JAGF website (as above). Click on the CGC post. Scroll to the bottom of your screen and click on 'View web version' to find the DONATE button.

3. You can always pay with cash, or by check made payable to: John Anthony George Foundation.

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2024 Qualifying Courses of Play

Every effort has been made to make available a registry of courses and their yardages, slopes, ratings and strokes to par that appear at the very least to be equal when compared. This, of course, is not an exact and perfect way to provide for their relative competitive likeness, but hopefully it serves so as fairly as possible when choosing any of the courses to play.

Prairie Landing Golf Club - West Chicago, IL

Tees: White - 5,576. Slope: 117. Course Rating: 66.5. Par 72.

Prairie Landing (Click here)

Prairie Landing Scorecard (Click here)

Highland Woods G.C. - Hoffman Estates, IL

Tees: Green - 5,831. Slope: 115. Course Rating: 67.6. Par 72.

Highland Woods G.C. (Click here)

Highland Woods Scorecard (Click here)

Blackstone G.C. - Marengo, IL

Tees: Silver. (Choose Bronze tees on #5, #17 and #18). 5,665. yards. Slope: 125. Course Rating: 67.7. Par 72.

Blackstone G.C. (Click here)

Blackstone G.C. Scorecard (Click here)

2024 Roster of Players, Regular Season Progress and CGC Championship Results:

This year's CGC Championship will feature 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for both high gross medalist and high net medalist (handicapped) finishers.

Each qualifying player's total regular season points earned and number of reported rounds will be web-posted routinely. The CGC championship is scheduled to be played on 9/7/24.

Remember, the CGC is a 12 MINIMUM/20 MAXIMUM single player competition.

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Name: Peter Willert

Rounds Reported to Date: ?