2026 Match Play Tournament Rules & Procedures
 
General 
 

  • This is a single elimination match play tournament with 64 total players.

 

  • The field will be broken into four regions based on the indexes of the players who sign up for the tournament:
    • Cypress (indexes #1–16)
    • Pine (indexes #17–32)
    • Redwood (indexes #33–48)
    • Eucalyptus (indexes #49–64)

 

  • The winners of each region advance to the Final Four, where:
    • Cypress winner plays Redwood winner
    • Pine winner plays Eucalyptus winner

  • Registration will open on Monday, May 11th at 12:00pm and will close on Monday, May 18th at 12:00pm or when 64 players have registered, whichever is first.

 

  • Priority registration will be given to the 2025 Club Champions, 2025 Match Play Champion, and the Top 16 in the 2025 Player of the Year standings. A list of players eligible for priority registration is attached here. 

 

  • The Match Play Tournament is open to all genders. 

 
Scheduling
 

  • The Match Play Tournament is a self-scheduled event, except for the semi-finals and finals. Players should be open to the possibility that an opponent may request to play on a weekend or weekday. 

 

  • Players participating in a tournament match will be given priority to Saturday Casual Play tee times. 

 

  • Matches must be completed during the following windows. No extensions will be granted.

 

  • Round of 64 Window (5 weeks): Monday, May 25th to Sunday, June 28th

 

  • Round of 32 Window (5 weeks): Monday, June 29th to Sunday, August 2nd 

 

  • Round of 16 Window (4 weeks): Monday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 30th 

 

  • Round of 8 Window (4 weeks): Monday, August 31st to Sunday, September 27th

 

  • Semi-Finals: Saturday, October 3rd at 7:50am

 

  • Finals: Saturday, October 17th at 8:00am

 

  • If two players are unable to schedule their match during a match window, the following options will determine which player moves forward:
    1. Either player can concede the match if they were unavailable during the window.
    2. The PPC Tournament Committee will make a decision based on the circumstances that prevented the match from being scheduled.
    3. A coin flip. 

 

  • At the outset of the tournament, your email and cell number will be distributed to all of the other people in your respective bracket.

 

  • Each match winner is required to email results to Dani O'Keefe, the Players Club, and your defeated opponent.

 

  • Once a match has been played, the advancing player should email both potential players in the next round immediately to let them know they are the next round’s participant. This is the advancing player’s duty, not the tournament committee’s, nor any Presidio employee’s.

 

  • Advancing players are absolutely allowed (and encouraged) to schedule their matches well before their next allotted round window.

 

  • Failure to appear at the starting tee at your self scheduled starting time shall result in disqualification.

 

  • All 18 holes must be completed on the same day. Matches cannot be completed with 9 holes played on one day, and 9 holes played on another day. 

 

  • If there is a tie after 18 holes, the pro shop and starter will know that this is a special match play event, and the players will be allowed to cut into the first tee as a twosome to continue a sudden death playoff. The participants must immediately depart the course upon completion of the sudden death playoff. 

 
Handicapping & Teeing Area
 

  • 90% of each player’s low 6-month course index will be used for all players and will be locked as of Sunday, 24th.

 

  • During registration, each player will be required to select a teeing ground for the duration of the tournament. This selection will be used to determine your playing index. The options are:
    • Red: Women or anyone over 30 index.
    • Blue: Over 65 men, any women, or men under 65 years old and over 25 index.
    • White: Anyone.
    • Black: Anyone. 

 

  • Strokes are off of the lower handicap player. For example, if player 90% of Player A’s low 6 month course index is a 6 handicap, and 90% of player B's low 6month index is a 12 handicap, player B gets 1 stroke from the 6 lowest handicap holes (for player B's teeing ground). 

 

  • Players will be responsible for posting their own scores to GHIN.

 

Entry Fee and Prizes

 

  • There is no entry fee or cash price for the Match Play Tournament. 

 

  • Player of the Year competition will be awarded based on a player’s performance in the tournament. 
    • Winner          550 points
    • Runner Up    315 points
    • Semis            200 points
    • Round of 8    140 points
    • Round of 16  115 points
    • Round of 32  105 points
    • Round of 64    50 points

 

  • Players are responsible for their green fees. 

 

Detailed Presidio Local Rules
 

  • The USGA Rules of Golf for Match play will be in effect with the following local rule additions:

 

  • Per the USGA, it’s a 3 minute search for lost balls. The player should use the honor system for judging the 3 minutes.

 

  • Local Rule E-5: If you hit one wayward, this rule is used as an alternative for OB or lost balls. It’s important to note that you cannot use the local E-5 rule if you chose to hit a provisional. If you hit a provisional, that provisional is in play.

 

  • Holes 1 thru 3 have red penalty area stakes on the left side of the course. If your ball has crossed and ended up within the red stakes, you do NOT have the option to use the local E-5 rule. You can only use penalty area (red stake) options. 

 

  • Model Local Rule F-5: A player may take relief from immovable obstructions close to putting green (sprinkler heads, mower sensors, and drains) if the player intends to putt, and following conditions are met:
    • The immovable obstruction is in the line of play, is within two club-lengths of the putting green, AND within two club-lengths of your ball.
    • Your ball has come to rest on a closely mown area (otherwise known as the fairway, fringe, apron, or collar).
    • To take relief, players must find the nearest point of relief, then drop the ball within 1 club length, no closer to the hole.

 

  • Local Rule re Fairway Aeration Holes: If your ball comes to rest in a recently made fairway aeration hole, you may get free relief by lifting the ball and placing it right next to the aeration hole. You are not granted free relief from aeration holes in the rough.

 

  • Any ball inside the 2nd range fence on the first hole is considered OB. If you are inbounds and the 2nd fence is in your line of play, you do not get free relief.

 

  • Most of you know that after 2019, the USGA made some changes and additions to the rules. If you want to brush up, this really helpful video summarizes those 2019 rules changes: https://youtu.be/chPOtfLUHC0