Cherokee Pines Golf Club
2026 Club Championship Rules
Match Play • October 1–31
Cherokee Pines Golf Club will host three Club Championship divisions for 2026:
- Main Club Championship
- Senior Club Championship
- Women’s Club Championship
Each Championship will be held with a minimum of 8 registered players.
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $150 per player.
Entry includes:
- Participation in the 2026 Club Championship
- A Cherokee Pines Club Championship polo shirt
Tournament Format
- Tournament play begins October 1, 2026.
- All championship matches must be completed by October 31, 2026.
- The tournament will be played as individual match play.
- Opening-round matchups will be determined by random draw.
- After each round, all remaining players in each division will be randomly reseeded.
- There is no fixed bracket for the entire tournament.
- Players are responsible for contacting their opponent and scheduling their match within the designated round deadline.
- The winner of each match advances to the next round.
Divisions & Tee Assignments
Main Club Championship
All players competing in the Main Club Championship will play from the Blue Tees, regardless of age.
Players entered in the Main Championship will use the Blue Tees for every match throughout the tournament.
Senior Club Championship
Players competing in the Senior Club Championship will use age-based tees:
- Ages 60–69: Gold Tees
- Ages 70–79: Red Tees
- Ages 80+: Black Tees
Women’s Club Championship
The Women’s Club Championship will be conducted as a separate match-play division.
A minimum of 8 players must register for the Women’s Championship to be held.
Play the Ball Down
The ball will be played down throughout the tournament.
Players may not improve their lie, move the ball, or take relief unless relief is specifically permitted under these local rules or under the normal Rules of Golf.
Local Free Relief
Free relief is allowed from:
- Exposed tree roots
- Rocks
- Cart paths
- Sprinkler heads
- Ground under repair
- Other immovable obstructions covered under the normal Rules of Golf
When taking free relief, the player may drop within one club length of the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole.
Relief may not be used to improve the general type of lie. For example, a ball lying in the rough may not be moved into the fairway simply because relief is being taken.
Except for the specific relief situations listed above, play the ball as it lies.
Movable Obstructions
Movable obstructions such as rakes, movable signs, cups, bottles, or similar objects may be moved according to the normal Rules of Golf.
Bunker Rule — Rake & Place
Rake and place will be allowed in all bunkers during the Club Championships.
When using rake and place:
- Lift the ball without marking its position.
- Rake and smooth the area of the original lie.
- Place the ball back in the bunker as close as reasonably possible to its original location.
The ball must remain in the bunker and may not be placed closer to the hole.
This rule is intended only to provide a fair lie and may not be used to significantly change the location or playing angle of the shot.
Match Play Rules
Normal USGA match-play rules apply unless specifically modified by these Cherokee Pines local rules.
- A hole is won by the player completing the hole in the fewer number of strokes.
- A match is won when one player is ahead by more holes than remain to be played.
- Putts and holes may be conceded by an opponent.
- Once a concession is made, it cannot be withdrawn.
- Players should clearly communicate the match score throughout the round.
Tied Matches
If a match is tied after 18 holes, players will continue in sudden-death match play by replaying Hole 18.
Hole 18 will be replayed as many times as necessary until one player wins the hole and the match is decided.
The same tee assignments and local rules remain in effect during the playoff.
Sportsmanship
Players are expected to maintain good sportsmanship and respect for their opponent, the golf course, and other players.
If a rules question cannot be resolved between the players, the matter should be brought to the golf shop before the match result is finalized.
Final Authority
Cherokee Pines Golf Club reserves the right to interpret these local rules, resolve disputes, establish round deadlines, and make adjustments necessary to complete the tournament fairly and on schedule.
Good luck to everyone competing in the 2026 Cherokee Pines Main, Senior, and Women’s Club Championships.