OFFICIAL RULES

Tournament Rules

The official rules and formats for all PHOGA events.

2026 Format Changes

PHOGA

Now Partner Net Shamble with drafted teams (was individual net stroke play)

The Rory

Day 1: Shamble, Day 2: Best Ball (was 2-day best ball)

PHOBA

Now optional — declare entry at Calcutta draw (was mandatory)

View full 2026 event details →

Entry Fees

$100 CAD
The Rory
Per player, mandatory
$40 CAD
PHOGA Championship
Per player, mandatory
$20 CAD
PHOBA
Per player ($40/team), optional

The Rory Calhoun Invitational

2-Day Partner Tournament (Shamble + Best Ball)

Team Draw

  • 1 Past Champions remain partners for the current year
  • 2 All other teams of 2 are randomly drawn out of hat
  • ! 8 year grace period of having Chau as a partner unless you win the Rory. Grace period is null & void if you fail to attend.

Format (2026)

Day 1: Partner Net Shamble

  • • Both players tee off, select best drive
  • • Both play own ball from that spot
  • • Best net score counts for team

Day 2: Partner Net Best Ball

  • • Both players play own ball throughout
  • • Best net score on each hole counts
  • • Combined 2-day total determines winner
  • Each player receives 80% of course handicap
  • Keep track of gross scores for each player along with team net score per hole
  • Handicaps finalized on Thursday night

Gimmies Rule

Player counting his net score on a given hole must hole out — no gimmies for player counting net score.

Rory Rules of Golf

First Tee Mulligan

1 mulligan max allowed off 1st tee only. If 2nd tee shot off 1st hole is unplayable, player can drop at 150 yd marker (par 4) or 300 yd marker (par 5).

Lost/Unplayable Ball

A player can take a 1 stroke penalty if ball is lost or unplayable (hit into woods). Ball must be hit from point of entry into woods (not perpendicular spot). Ball must then be hit from rough (not fairway) at point of entry.

USGA Rules

With exception of above, all other USGA Rules of Golf will govern play.

"A" Side and "B" Side

A Side

Teams keep their scores from Day One. Total net score from both days counted towards A Side final standings.

B Side

Teams throw out first round score. Only Day Two score counts towards B Side standings.

After Round One, teams choose which side to enter. All team scores from Day One will be made available to help teams decide.

Rory Payouts

Side Place Payout
A Side 1st Place 50% of Pot
A Side 2nd Place 25% of Pot
B Side 1st Place 20% of Pot
C Side 1st Place 5% of Pot

Tiebreakers

A Side Champions Sudden death play-off
A Side 2nd Place Best team score on Day 2. If tied: best last 9 holes on Day 2, then best last 8 holes, etc.
B Side Champions Best team score on last 9 holes of Day 2. If tied: best last 8 holes of Day 2, etc.
C Side Champions Best team score for Day 2. If tied: best team score for 36 holes.

PHOGA Championship

Partner Net Shamble (2026 Format)

Format (2026)

Partner Net Shamble with 80% course handicap. Teams formed via straight draft.

Team Selection

Players ranked in advance. Worst-ranked select first. Final four auto-assigned.

How Shamble Works

  1. 1. Both players tee off
  2. 2. Select the best drive
  3. 3. Both play their own ball from that spot
  4. 4. Best net score on each hole counts for team

Gimmies

NO GIMMIES — player counting net score must hole out

Rules of Golf

See Rory Rules of Golf above

Tiebreakers

  • Overall Championship: Sudden death putt off
  • All other ties: Decided by stroke regression

PHOBA Championship

Puckers Hockey Organization Bocce Association

Entry

$20/player ($40/team) — Optional for 2026

Win Condition

First team to 11 points wins the match

Rules of Play

  1. 1 Team failing to show up for match forfeits (5 minute grace period allowed)
  2. 2 Flip a coin to see which team has the panache (pallino). Team with panache throws first ball followed by other team.
  3. 3 The team with the furthest away ball keeps throwing balls (alternating between teammates) until their ball becomes closer, at which time other team throws
  4. 4 Once all balls thrown, team with closest balls scores 1 point for every ball closer than other team
  5. 5 Panache (pallino) must be tossed between 10-30 yards

Golf Format Glossary

Best Ball (Four-Ball)

Each player plays their own ball throughout the hole. The team score for each hole is the lowest score among the team members.

Shamble

All team members tee off, the best drive is selected, and then each player plays their own ball from that spot into the hole.

Net Score

Gross score minus handicap strokes. Handicap strokes are applied based on hole difficulty (stroke index).

80% Handicap

Players receive 80% of their course handicap for partner formats. This creates more competitive matches between teams.

Commissioner's Decision is Final

All rule interpretations and disputes are resolved by the Commissioner. Their decision is final and binding.

Meet the Commissioners