Kiter Cup Golf Tournament
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

I. Tournament Rules:

1. Players are not permitted to claim "gimme" putts or mulligans.
2. Water incurs a 1-stroke penalty; drop the ball at the point where it entered the pond or designated relief area.
3. When faced with an out-of-bounds or lost ball situation, you have two choices:
   1. Option 1 (Local Rule): Take a 2-stroke penalty and drop within two club lengths of where the ball crossed the out-of-bounds line or a designated drop area.
      Example:
      If you lost your tee shot or hit it out of bounds, you can opt for relief under the Local Rule by adding two penalty strokes. This means you'll be playing your fourth shot after taking your drop. Although this penalty might seem severe, it's comparable to what you could have achieved if you went back to play under stroke and distance.
   2. Option 2 (Stroke and Distance): Take a 1-stroke penalty and re-hit from the original location.
      Example:
      If your tee shot goes out of bounds, you can choose to re-hit from where the previous stroke was made, incurring a one-stroke penalty. Consequently, you'll be playing your third shot from the re-hit.
4. Cart Path (similar man-made hazards) allows for one club length relief from the object in any direction but no closer to the hole.
5. Unplayable shots incur a 1-stroke penalty; drop the ball in a playable area one club length from where the ball was found, ensuring it remains inbounds.

II. Format Specific Rules:

1. All Formats utilize Match Play Scoring.
2. Teams earn 1 point for the lowest score on a hole. The team with the most points wins the match and earns their team 1 point.
3. Best Ball: Individuals play their own ball for the duration of the hole. The score recorded on the scorecard is the lowest of the scores between the two partners. Teams earn 1 point for the lowest score on a hole. The team with the most points wins the match and earns their team 1 point.
4. Scramble: Both partners hit each shot. Partners select the most desirable shot between the two and play their next shots from the chosen location. Partners select the best of the two shots each time and record 1 score for the hole. Each partnership is required to play 3 tee shots from each player.
5. Alternate Shot: Select one person to tee off on the odd holes and the other to tee off on the even holes. Players alternate shots after the initial tee shot on each hole.
6. Singles: Individual 18-hole match-ups.
7. 3rd Round Determination: If the lead is 2 or fewer holes, play Alternate Shot. If the lead is 3 or more holes, play Singles.
8. The winner is determined by the fewest strokes over the round or by winning the most holes outright.
9. The Winning Team will be the team with the most total points at the conclusion of round 3.
10. Tie Breaker – Putt Off in Shootout Format (5-foot Putts)

III. Captains Info:

1. Captains must submit their position cards one hour before the first tee time without knowledge of the other team's decisions.
2. Captains will be randomly assigned, either by mailing out two pink captain slips included in the tournament packet or by employing a different strategy. Captains will be selected from the previous year's winning team.
3. The winning captain becomes the tournament director for the following year.
4. Captains must designate team names and team colors, both of which are required.

IV. Tournament Director Responsibilities:

1. The tournament director will be the captain from the winning team of the previous year, who will retain the trophy.
2. Responsibilities include:
   1. Collecting and distributing the purse for the following year, including cash, cigars, and champagne.
   2. Announcing the tournament dates for the following year, which will be the same weekend annually, starting on the Friday after Mother’s Day.
   3. Confirming the location and securing lodging.
   4. Coordinating golf course arrangements, including purchases from golf shows or making course reservations.
   5. Providing updates for the tournament packet and website with details specific to this year's tournament.
   6. Creating a weekend itinerary, including event details for Friday and Saturday nights, and arranging meals and drinks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
   7. Collaborating with captains or former directors as needed.
   8. Sending out a 60-day reminder.
   9. Mailing out packets, selecting captains, and conducting the draft.
   10. Confirming lodging reservations and scheduling tee times at the golf course.
   11. Collecting final payments and finalizing arrangements for lodging, golfing, food, drink, purse, and events.
   12. Implementing the Replacement Player Protocol if a player withdraws after teams are drafted.
   13. Selecting the format for the first two rounds from the available options prior to the draft.
   14. The tournament director has final authority on matters not explicitly covered in the SOP, although it is encouraged to seek consensus from the group before making decisions on such matters.

V. 2025 and Beyond

1. The next two years will be "local" (within driving distance).
2. After Year 3, consider traveling to a destination.
3. Prices for Years 1 – 3 should remain in the $500 range for golf rounds and lodging.