Abstract:
The present invention enhances a golf tournament using novel tournament rules that include allowing proficient players to interact with other players, more particularly, professional players to affect the outcome of the tournament. After teams are created the game a best ball is played at the first day, a low and aggregate ball is played on the second day and a worse ball is played on the last day. At the end of the tournament the team with the lowest score wins.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    N/A 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The invention herein resides in the art of sports and, more particularly, to the field of golf. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for playing tournaments including proficient golf and a particular combinations of formats. 
       Discussion of the Background 
       [0003]    The sport of golf is viewed and followed by millions all around the world. For proficient golf players, such as professional, and non-professional golf players the athletic ability and the skills demonstrated in their “long” and “short” games which contribute significantly to the enjoyment of the game. Those familiar with the game of golf are aware of a broad range of formats by which the game is played and scored. By way of example, these formats include skins, match play, best ball, points, alternate shot, scramble and the like. Tournaments are often played by predefine teams, mainly well know participants, upon these formats. 
         [0004]    In team play rounds or tournaments, a best ball format is often employed. In that format, the field may be broken into teams of several players each, ideally up to 4, and on each hole the lowest or “best” score between the partners is entered for the team. At the end of this best ball round or tournament, the team with the lowest score (aggregate of lowest scores on each hole) is the winner. 
         [0005]    One of the problems with best ball play for tournaments, mainly televise tournaments, is the fact that a dominant player on any team can remove any doubt as to the outcome of the round or tournament early in that round or tournament, reducing the suspense or intrigue at the end of the round or tournament, where it is typically desired to be highest. For example in teams including proficient players and non-proficient player the odds are that the lowest score belongs to the proficient player giving no valuable weight and/or participation to the non-proficient players. Moreover, such best ball tournaments often serve to effectively reduce the teams to a one golfer team, again reducing the value of the non-proficient players in a team and the suspense in the rounds or tournament itself. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need to provide a scoring method for golf tournaments that gives consideration to all the players including the worst ball on at least certain of the holes of the round or tournament, with the resultant effect of leaving the outcome effectively indeterminate until the last putt is made. 
         [0007]    It is most desirable to have a tournament scoring method in golf that considers both the best and worst contributions of team members, that leaves the suspense as to who will win until the last putt, and that is adaptable to implementation in various formats. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a method of scoring rounds of golf tournament in which the best and worst contributions from team members are considered in the scoring. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the invention is to stimulate the participation of proficient player in combination with at least three particularly arranged golf formats in order to provide golf viewers with a more intriguing game. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention is the selection of team members based on a first day performance. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a method of scoring rounds of golf tournament in which the effect of a dominant player on any team is reduced by considering other players performance on various holes. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tournament structure including at least 3 golf formats. 
         [0013]    Yet a further aspect of the invention is to provide a method of scoring rounds of golf tournament that leaves the outcome of the round or tournament in suspense until the last putt on the last hole. 
         [0014]    Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a method of scoring rounds of golf tournament that is exciting including the full range of performance of team members. 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a method of scoring a golf tournament between competing teams. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings which are incorporated herein constitute part of the specifications and illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a general example flow chart of the first embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a general example flow chart of how to play the first embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a general example flow chart of how to create teams in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    The present invention overcomes all the disadvantages mentioned above by providing a new method for a golf tournament. In the context of this description, a tournament may be that typically known to participants and spectators as a multiple day event, more particularly 3 day events, where rounds of golf are played on each day with a particular format. In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure the present game execution consists of 54 holes. 
         [0021]    FIG. 1  is directed to show a general example flow chart of the first embodiment, more particularly the tournament  100  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, wherein several players  10 - 14  are added to the player list for the tournament  100 . The several players may include proficient players, such as professionals, and non-proficient players such as regular players. Once the players  10 - 14  are registered on the player list  100  teams are created by selecting at least two players from said players&#39; list  100 . The selection of player per team is performed in a blind draw manner M, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Therefore players on the list are not ranked based on previous results or experience. The match-ups are based solely on the luck of the draw. Further teams prepare to play a best ball format on the first day D 1  of the tournament. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is directed to the preferred embodiment of the tournament, wherein a 54 hole tournament is contemplated in which teams of two golfers each are paired against each other. During the first day D 1  of competition (an 18 hole round of golf) a best ball format may be employed. On that day, the best (lowest) score for each hole played that day is the score that is actually entered on behalf of the team. On the second day D 2  of the tournament, a low and aggregate format is employed. A low and aggregate format includes the scores of the two golfers on each hole which are added together and the lowest score is added again to that sum, the result being the score entered for each hole on that day. It will be appreciated that this has the effect of enhancing the value or impact of the best ball or lowest score, while also considering and giving value to the score of the other team player. Further on the third day D 3  of the tournament, a worst ball format is followed. Here, the highest score on each hole by a team member is entered on behalf of the team. This final day of the tournament keeps the outcome of the entire tournament in play until the final putt is made. By performing the current variation of formats the tournament also has a leveling effect against the first day of the tournament in which only the best ball was scored. The team with the lowest score is the winner or tournament champion. 
         [0023]    One object of the present invention is to maintain the suspense of the game, therefore the number of holes per day varies. The difference between the number of holes depends on the score difference per day. For example, the preferred embodiment selects the number of holes for the next day based on the following variables: the number of teams, the best and lowest score per hole of the first rank team at the end of the current competition day and the best and lowest score per hole of the last team rank at the end of the current of competition of the tournament. The results of holes to be played are equivalent to the minimum number of holes that permits the minimum difference between the first rank team and the last rank team based on the current day results for the tournament. The tournament format just described ensures that the participation of each team player is considered and counted. The score for both, the best player and the second member, will impact the final score. The invention does, however, contemplate scoring formats that include the combination of best score, a low and aggregate score and the worst score, giving more significance to the worst score on particular holes than the better score. 
         [0024]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of formats can be implemented consistent with the foregoing. The teas take the worst score on each hole thereby maintaining the outcome of the tournament in suspense throughout. 
         [0025]    Thus it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been attained by the method presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best known and preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. For a true appreciation of the scope and breadth of the invention reference should be made to the following claims. 
         [0026]    While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
         [0027]    All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentable distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.