I don’t want this to come off the wrong way or even as a criticism, but thought I would just list out some random thoughts I had from this year. I think however you guys decide to do the format it’s great event/addition to the roost.
Think the wraparound is kind of meh to fine, I think most people are winding down their golf year so probably aren’t thinking about it now and then people don’t want to lose a match when they are just getting warmed up for the year in the spring, then throw in the usual weather caveat. Ultimately I think that impacts participation to some degree but not sure truly how much.
I think open play works and get why it’s needed, but I will say I missed the pod element and having a smaller subset. Maybe something like breaking out into regions (NEO, Central, Cincy, NWO) gives a nice balance where you can have an “open pod” type set up?
The scoring point system became a little convoluted for me with the home/home, travel points, etc. I get incentivizing people to play more matches but I could also see how it could be a turn off for those who are on the fence about getting involved.
Personally, I’m way out on 3 and 4 way matches, it’s just simply not match play. IMO, it just takes out a lot of the strategy element of matches and becomes more or less a net round of golf. If one person in a 4 way pumps one OB that doesn’t materially affect your decision making off the tee because you have 2 other matches going on. If you have a 5 footer to beat one person it’s not as nerve wracking because you might have already won/lost a hole separately. It also sucks to lose 2 or 3 matches at once.
Again, I don’t want this to come off as a criticism of the event, it’s one of my favorite parts of the roost every year, just some thoughts from this iteration.
That said, in the spirit of offering solutions/ideas and not just complaining, I think a straight 64 person (or however many sign up) bracket format would be sick. It could either be one and done or double elimination, but basically throw everyone into a bracket from the start and simplify things, while getting back to true match play.
I couldn’t agree more with everything you said (multiple matches simultaneously just becomes stroke play for me), but especially this point.
Given the participation numbers this year, it might have to be 32 instead of 64, but a single or double elimination bracket organized by regions would rule. It would also give us a lot more flexibility schedule wise to start later once guis have ramped into form.
This comment and the lack of enthusiasm from people in here saying, “Let’s get it going now” definitely leads me to believe keeping it all in a single year is the way to go going forward.
This is for sure true and something that would be changing if we kept the open format.
I haven’t done many multi-way matches so this wasn’t something on the top of my mind, but as someone who simply loves Match Play as a format, you make a stellar point here. Absolutely am out on those now myself.
Single elimination with byes is what Michigan does and while it was kind of nice, I really didn’t like the idea that for those of us who love Match Play as a format might only get the chance to play a single match before getting eliminated. I really like the idea of a Double Elimination with either a starting bonus (1 or 2 up) to the player who makes the Final in the winners bracket or the potential to force a replay if the undefeated player loses.
In the grand scheme of things the most important part of this for me personally is that we try and get as many players involved as possible and that everyone who participates has a good time. I’m not going to stand on any sort of tradition if we can find a format and schedule that works for people.
For my own personal gratification I will say that I made it to the third round in the Michigan match play this year. But yeah, that’s a good counterpoint.
Fwiw, I’d rather start playing now because it’s the end of the year and actually feel like I’m playing well, as opposed to spring with two straight years of crappy weather where I can’t get out regularly enough to feel like I’m ready to play
I’m of the same mindset, liked the wraparound season just hard to get matches scheduled when people aren’t on a deadline. Double elimination tournament like others have suggested or even going back to pool play might solve that problem?
I’ll toss in a supporting vote for a double elimination bracket that begins in the spring. Not a fan of the reacharound in this instance. One of the main reasons I didn’t participate this year was because I felt behind in April.
I can’t really compare this year to the previous year as I was only involved this year. I do like the sound of a double elimination bracket, as it would most likely force or encourage me to play with new people. I found myself playing a lot of the same people, and while that was a lot of fun it didn’t really expand my group of potential playing partners. I would also second the feeling on multi-matches. It isn’t really match play, and seemed to just be a way to “get some matches in.”
That being said I had a metric butt ton of fun in this year’s event, and look forward to the same next year.
Either way works for me I kind of waited til the last minute hoping I’d get better but didn’t before I got any matches in. I’d like to see the bracket play not based on region though if we go that route maybe one guy from all 4 regions in a bracket and use a randomizer to pick where each match gets played, each guy gets one match at a home course or negotiate a course somewhere between the two. Example being me in Dayton and playing a Cleveland guy if I can make the trip would definitely be willing to go up and play there but we could find something in-between us and meet and play. Might help the northern guys knock out there non home rounds early when there still waiting on the weather to get better up there. Also makes everyone play different courses that they may never go to because there not from that area.
I vote the double elimination and start it in spring.
I’m a fan of meeting up with new people, but the first two seasons became difficult to get the 3 matches in by the deadline with spring plans and weather.
I lean to trying to get to a few larger events that have set dates so I prefer making my golf plans around those vs having to make somewhat last minute plans to play someone during week or weekends.
But match play is sweet and diving into the bracket meshes my preferences.
Absolutely! Since we aren’t going pods or anything fancy this year I haven’t been as stressed about making sure we get a certain number or anything like that.
I’ll put together the sign up list and lay down the rules on Monday!
