Men's Golf Association Ross Open

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

This tournament was created to bring our members back to the beginning of our Club's history, and our Donald Ross course design. Our golf professionals provided Ouimet replica golf balls and hickory shafted clubs. The tournament shifted the focus from solely the goal of winning the tournament, to having fun stepping back in time to immerse themselves in our club history. Our men’s golf association even took it upon themselves to dress the part for the tournament. Overall, the tournament enhanced our operation by expanding our golf offerings and strengthening our ties to our history, while giving the men a fun challenge that they have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

This event was quite easy to run, with the club providing Ouimet replica golf balls and hickory shafted clubs for the 9-hole tournament. Beyond that, it was treated as a normal Men’s Golf Association event run by our golf professional team.

52 men participated in the tournament on a Thursday evening in the Fall. The players all enjoyed the challenge of using the balls and clubs that may have been used when the course was first designed by Donald Ross in 1945. Overall, the men were excited about the challenge, and the Ross Open will now be an annual event for our Men’s Golf Association.