The Challenge

Welcome
Play the best courses in the land with this years' Mercedes-Benz Challenge Cup.  There are a maximum of 18 teams at each regional event with the winning team from each qualifying for the expenses paid final in Abu Dhabi.

Cost
Each team (4 players) entry is £850 + VAT and this includes:
- Greenfees
- Coffee & bacon sandwiches
- On course refreshments
- Three course lunch & wine
- Golf International Magazine subscription (1 year) for team captain
- Goodie bag per player including a sleeve of 3 Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls

Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places, Nearest The Pin and The Longest Drive will be supplied by Titleist and Hugo Boss.

Teams reaching the final will have their flights, transfers, accommodation and golf paid for.

ENTER OFFLINE
If you would like to pay by cheque or credit card but not online please download an entry form by clicking here. Downloadable Entry Form 


Entry Details

Format
The playing format is betterball pairs stableford.  Each team of four players will be split into two pairs.  They will then play with pairs from other teams.  The betterball scores from each pair will be added together at the end of play, giving their team an overall score.  Current handicap certificates are required and must be submitted after initial registration.  Handicap limits are 21 for men and 28 for women.  Competitors must be
over the age of 18.  There are a maximum of 18 teams at each venue.

Rules & Conditions
1. The playing format for the regional events is betterball pairs stableford with the winning team from each venue qualifying for the national final.  The national final will
be the same format, although with one practice round and two competition rounds.

2. Competitors must be amateurs and at least 18 years of age by May 1, 2008.

3. The cost of registering a team of four players for the Mercedes-Benz Challenge Cup is £850 plus Vat.

4. A team can register up to one week in advance of their nominated golf day (on the assumption that there is still availability).

5. There will be a maximum of 18 registered teams per venue.

6. Companies may enter up to five teams across the regional events with no more than two teams at any particular event.

7. Each competitor must be a current member of a golf club and have a valid handicap. Society handicaps are not accepted. Handicap verification will take place after  registration.  If a players handicap cannot be verified by their club, the player cannot play.  If a team wins their handicap certificates will be cross checked with each players golf club.  If there are any discrepancies then the team will be disqualified and first place will be awarded to the second placed team.

8. Teams cannot change their choice of venue once they have registered for the event except in extenuating circumstances.

9. Teams cannot change their team members after registration within a month of their regional golf day (except with permission from the tournament referee due to a valid
medical certificate).  Qualifying teams may change one player prior to the national final.

10. Handicap limits are 21 for men and 28 for ladies with a ¾ handicap
allowance.

11. Golf carts will not be allowed at regional golf days unless stipulated by the course. Only golfers with permission from the tournament referee due to a valid medical
certificate may use a golf cart if golf carts are banned for that particular golf day.

12. Play will commence from the competition tees unless players are informed differently on the day.  If a fourball involves both ladies and gentlemen then the gentlemen will play from the competition tees (unless informed otherwise on the day) and the ladies will play from the red tees.

13. In the event of scores being tied during either the regional golf days or the final the winning team will be selected on the basis of a points count back (back nine holes,
back six holes, back three holes, back one hole, front nine holes, front six holes, front three holes, front one hole — as per the card of the course, not the order in which they might have been played).  In the unlikely event that there is still a tie, the winning team will be decided by a sudden death playoff.

14. In the case of any dispute the organisers decision will be final.  Any team failing to comply with the Tournament Rules or not meeting initial entry criteria will be disqualified.

For Downloadable Rules CLICK HERE

The Mercedes-Benz Challenge Cup 2008 is Approved by The R&A for the payment of expenses Rule 4-2g RA/24/2008.