MCGA Pools & Games

Every MCGA golf event provides a number of pools/contests for players to participate in. This is an explanation of what they are and how they work. 
Any MCGA Member in good standing is eligible to participate in any of the pools described on this page. However, it is mandatory that all MCGA members in attendance are required to participate in at least one pool, the Skins Pool. All of the other pools are optional to members. Each of the pool pots is determined by the total amount paid in for that particular pool with the final discretion by the Treasurer.

Guests may only participate in the Birdies, Closest to the Pin and Gross Skins pools. All players must pay the Treasurer prior to the beginning of the round. The two options for payment are explained here. There are no exceptions. 
The Net Skins pool is flighted. The player's flight is determined by course handicap. The scores of eligible players are compared hole-by-hole by each flight. A single low score on a hole counts as a skin for that player. Ties cancel each other and holes do not carryover. The pay out is $3 per skin in each flight. A player can earn multiple skins. Participation in the Net Skins pool by MCGA members in Skins is mandatory.
The Low Net pool is also handicapped and flighted. The low net score and ties in each flight win that flight. Depending on the number of players in the flight, second place and third place may be paid as well. The Low Net Payout is determined by the total pot size and the number of players in the flight. A flight with more golfers will get a larger percentage of the total pot to pay out compared to a flight with fewer golfers. Once the payout per flight is determined, then the payout within the flight is figured as follows:
# Players
# Spots Paid
% Paid Out
1-6
1 spot
100%
7-10
2 spots
70 / 30%
11 and up
3 spots
65 / 25% / 10%
This pool is similar to Net Skins, but it is not flighted and is based on gross scores. The way that it works is this. At the conclusion of the round, a single number, 1 to 18, is drawn at random. That is the "Super Skin" hole for that round. The gross scores of all of players in the Super Skin pool are compared for that hole. So if there is only one, single low score by one player on that Super Skin hole, then that player wins. If there is a tie for the lowest score, then that is a push no one wins that week and the pot carries forward. The Super Skin pot starts at $100.00 and grows each week until the Super Skin is won. A new Super Skin pot will start at the next sanctioned event.

If a player misses a round or several consecutive rounds during a Super Skin carryover from prior rounds, that player can pay forward for the missed rounds, $5 per missed round, in addition to the $5 for the round that they are playing.
The closest tee shot on the green on an eligible par 3 hole by a paid player is a winner. The pay out is determined by the total amount collected for Closest to the Pin divided by 5. Four holes count toward the pool and one hole is donated to charity.
**This pool is flighted and awards each gross birdie recorded by a participating player. The pay out for each birdie is calculated by the total amount collected for the Birdies Pool in each flight and then divided by the number of birdies recorded by those pool players in that flight.  **Changed 1/19/2022
The Gross Skins pool is available to all players and is not flighted. All of the scores of contesting players are compared hole-by-hole. A single low score on a hole counts as a skin for that player. Ties cancel each other and holes do not carryover. The pay out is one share per skin of the total Gross Skins pot. A single player can earn multiple skins.
Periodically the MCGA pauses its normal stroke play format to get in a few more relaxed events called Fun Rounds. Players do not accumulate points towards the Tour Championship during Fun Rounds. MCGA Handicaps are used and may be factored depending on the format. The pools and contests available during a Fun Round are different too. Here is a list of the formats used and the pools that are available for each.
  • TEAM LOW NET* & LOW GROSS* - The team(s) with the lowest net score and the team(s) with the lowest gross score will be awarded. The same team(s) can't win both. The team low gross award is made to the team with the lowest gross score first,  then the team low net award is given to the team with the lowest net score. The number of places paid will be determined by field size by the Treasurer. The buy-in is $10 per player.
  • TEAM NET SKINS & GROSS SKINS - Net team skins and gross team skins will be competed for across the full field. The amount paid for the skins will be determined by field size by the Treasurer. The buy-in is $10 per player
  • CLOSEST-TO-THE-PIN - Closest-to-the-Pin will be contested by individuals across the full field.  The number of CTP holes will be determined by field size by the Treasurer. The buy-in is $5 per player.
Teams are given a team handicap based on 35% of the "A" player's MCGA handicap and added to 15% of the "B" player's MCGA handicap.*
In the event that a player no-shows, a ghost player will be substituted.​
​Depending on the number of teams competing, the field may be broken into two or more flights. 
  • TEAM LOW NET* & LOW GROSS* - The team(s) with the lowest net score and the team(s) with the lowest gross score will be awarded. The same team(s) can't win both. The number of places paid will be determined by field size by the Treasurer. The buy-in is $10 per player.
  • TEAM NET SKINS & GROSS SKINS - Net team skins and gross team skins will be competed for across the full field. The amount paid for the skins will be determined by field size by the Treasurer. The buy-in is $10 per player
  • CLOSEST-TO-THE-PIN - Closest-to-the-Pin will be contested by individuals across the full field.  The number of CTP holes will be determined by field size by the Treasurer. The buy-in is $5 per player.
​Teams are given a team handicap based on 35% of the "A" player's MCGA handicap and added to 15% of the "B" player's MCGA handicap.*
In the event that a player no-shows, a ghost player will be substituted.
​*Depending on the number of teams competing, the field may be broken into two or more flights.
All of the usual pools are available for the Club Championship but are slightly different and with much bigger payouts for the members that qualify for the season-ending event.

Qualifying Members

For the MCGA members that qualify by playing the minimum amount of rounds during the season, the buy-in is $40 for all of the following contests and pools. Awards in ():
  • Net Skins by Flight 
  • Low Net by Flight (first-$160, second-$130, third-$100)
  • Low Gross by flight ($160)
  • Birdies
  • Closest-to-the-Pin, one winner per flight ($120)
  • Club Champion, Low Net score in the field (Trophy + $200)
  • Longest drive for Men ($100) and Women, if applicable ($100)
  • Fewest putts ($100)
  • Most putts (Trophy)
OPTIONAL POOL
$20 for Gross Skins (Side Skins)

Non-qualifying Members

These are the available pools and buy-ins for the MCGA members that do not qualify for the Club Championship:
  • ​Net Skins, $5
  • Birdies, $5
  • Gross Skins (Side Skins), $20

Guests

These are the available pools and buy-ins for guests:
  • ​Birdies, $5
  • Gross Skins (Side Skins), $20