2026 Match Play
Year-long Match Play Brackets!
If you want to be considered for a spot, fill out this Interest Form!
Scratch – mid handicaps.
6 rounds.
Mid handicaps.
5 rounds.
No strokes!
4 rounds.
Ran in parallel of the Main bracket for golfers to compete in both.
Golfers that made a first-round exit in the Main or Mid-Cap Bracket, can re-gain their honor in the Redemption Brackets!
Questions? Email RDUgolfTour@gmail.com, or ask in our Discord server:
Finals Venues
These matches are not endorsed, sponsored by, or are faciliated by the courses listed.
Old Town Club
#38 in the World, #20 in the US, #2 in NC.
OTC is like stepping back in time and seeing the history of golf.
The venue for the:
– 2026 Main Bracket finals!
Prestonwood Country Club
Home of the SAS Championship of the PGA Champions Tour.
The venue of the:
– 2026 Mid-Cap bracket Finals.
– 2026 Gross bracket Finals.
– 2026 Main bracket Semi-finals.
2026 Match Play Series
This is designed to give golfers an opportunity to complete head-to-head
Opponents will be set for each bracket. The two golfers will communicate and determine a mutual date / course and complete their match.
Winners will progress in the bracket.
First round losers will enter a Redemption Bracket to continue competing.
For the Main bracket, the Final Four and Finals are hosted by the RDUgolf Tour.
For the Mid-Cap and Gross brackets, the Finals are hosted by the RDUgolf Tour.
Timing / Selections
Golfer Selections:
– Golfers will be chosen from the Interest Form above.
– Mid January, ballots will be reviewed.
– Late Jan-February, selections will be made.
– February, Invitations will be emailed out in batches.
Bracket Selection:
– Bracket and field size will be determined by handicap.
– Bracket quadrents will loosely factor preferred golfing times (weekday/weekend) and geography.
– Pairings will then be selected via AI for Round 1.
Details
– Format: Individual Match Play
– Elimination: Single elimination (1st round exits continue in the Redemption bracket)
– Dates: March-November
– Round Duration: 4-9 weeks
Match Rules:
– Rules: USGA guidelines
– Handicapping: 80% handicap usage
– Teebox:
— Main Bracket: Teebox rating with in +/- 2 of course par.
— Mid-cap Bracket: Teebox rating with in +/- 3 of course par.
– Courses: Any course is fair game; golfers can play up to 2 matches at a course within a bracket
Requirements
– Active GHIN#
– Amateur Status: golfers with a professional designation are not permitted.
– Flexible scheduling: Golfers are expected to find a mutually agreeable time to complete their match. This may fall outside of your exact preferences.
– Handicaps: Under 25. Main, Mid-Cap, and Gross bracket handicap ranges will be determined after reviewing the applicants.
Costs
– Main Bracket: $155
– Mid-Cap Bracket: $115
– Gross Bracket:
– $45, if competing in the Main bracket.
– $115, if not competing in the Main bracket.
Costs Include
– Membership gift.
– Minimum of 2 bracket matches.
– Bracket Release Party.
– Access to event-specific Discord channels.
– Priority consideration for other 2026 gatherings.
– Main bracket: Semifinals and Finals matches.
– Mid Cap & Gross brackets: Finals matches.
Not included:
– Rounds 1-4 of Main & Mid-Cap brackets, and rounds 1-3 of the Gross bracket
Bracket Release Party
Meet other golfers and learn the 2026 Brackets!
Thursday, March 5th.
PGA Tour Superstore – Raleigh
Time: TBD
Event will include:
Reveal of the 2026 Match Play Brackets.
2026 Membership gift pickup.
Catered food & softdrinks.
Simulator games.
More..
Play Days
2-3 large group “Play Days” will be scheduled across the Triangle during rounds 1 and 2 of the Brackets.
These gatherings will be planned a large number of golfers to complete their matches, and meet other golfers in the community.
Priority will go to golfers completing their schedule match.
Golfers are not guarenteed a spot in these events, as capacity is limited.
Further details, dates, timing, and costs will be announced as available.
Round Completion Dates
The dates below are when a rounds matches must be completed by and reported to the group.
These dates are tentative and subject to change, contingent upon field sizes.
Main Bracket:
– Round 1 (64): Complete by April 30th.
– Round 2 (32): Complete by June 14th.
– Round 3 (16): Complete by July 31st.
– Round 4 (8): Complete by August 31st.
– Round 5 (4) (@ Prestonwood): Complete by Sept 30th.
– Round 6 (2) (@ Old Town Club): Complete by Nov 30th
Mid-Cap:
– Round 1 (32): Complete by April 30th.
– Round 2 (16): Complete by May 31st.
– Round 3 (8): Complete by June 30th.
– Round 4 (4): Complete by July 31st.
– Round 5 (2) (@ Prestonwood CC): Complete by Sept 30th.
Gross:
– Round 1 (16): Complete by May 31st.
– Round 2 (8): Complete by July 31st.
– Round 3 (4): Complete by Sept 30th.
– Round 4 (2): (@ Prestonwood CC): Complete by Nov 30th.
Redemption Bracket:
Round timing will follow the schedule you were competing within.
Any Questions?
Reach out to RDUgolfTour@gmail.com or discuss in the community Discord.