Golf Pool & Side Games

Big Cedar Lodge 2026 Golf Trip

Everyone will be in the standard golf pool. The main pool will be tied mostly to the Ryder Cup-style team competition, with a portion reserved for side games and closest-to-the-pin contests. An optional overs pool will also be available for anyone who wants extra action.

Buy-In Overview

Standard Pool

$200

All 12 players will be in the standard pool.

Optional Overs Pool

$500 Total

Optional higher buy-in for players who want extra individual action.

Important: The $500 overs option is a total buy-in, not $500 on top of the $200. Players in the overs pool are effectively in for $500 total.

Standard Pool Breakdown

Main Pool: $2,400 Total

With 12 players each contributing $200, the standard pool will total $2,400.

$1,800 — Winning Ryder Cup Team

$600 — Side Games / Closest-to-the-Pin / Individual Prizes

If the winning team payout stays at $1,800, each player on the winning team would receive $300.

Main Ryder Cup Pool

The main team pool will be tied to the official Ryder Cup-style competition. The official team competition begins Friday morning and will be played across Payne’s Valley, Buffalo Ridge, and Ozarks National.

  • Winning team payout: $1,800 total
  • Winning team share: $300 per player
  • Official Ryder Cup points: 12 total points available
  • First team to 6.5 points wins

Side Game Pool

Side Game Pool: $600

A portion of the standard pool will be reserved for side games, closest-to-the-pin contests, and individual prizes throughout the trip.

Closest to the Pin

Closest-to-the-pin contests will likely be used on par-3 holes and par-3 style rounds.

Opening Round Action

Thursday will not count toward the Ryder Cup score and may be used for side games and closest-to-the-pin money.

Individual Prizes

Possible individual prizes could include low net, low gross, skins, or best single-round performance.

Possible Side Game Allocation

Prize Type Estimated Amount Notes
Closest to the Pin TBD Likely used on par-3 holes / short course rounds.
Skins / Daily Prizes TBD Optional based on final format.
Low Net / Low Gross TBD Could be used for one of the main rounds.
Total Side Game Pool $600 Final split will be posted closer to the trip.

Optional Overs Pool

$500 Total Buy-In Option

The overs pool is optional and is meant for players who want extra individual action. Players who choose the overs option are in for $500 total.

Since everyone is already in the $200 standard pool, the overs pool is effectively an additional $300 from each overs player.

Overs Buy-In: $500 total

Extra Amount Added: $300 per overs player

Estimated Entrants: TBD

Estimated Pot: TBD

Overs Pool Scoring

The overs pool will be an individual net scoring contest among only the players who opt in.

  • Scoring: Cumulative individual net score
  • Courses counted: Payne’s Valley, Buffalo Ridge, and Ozarks National
  • Courses not counted: Par-3 / short course rounds
  • Reason: Bigger money should be tied to the main 18-hole championship rounds

Overs Pool Payout

Entrants Suggested Payout Notes
6 or fewer 1st: 70% / 2nd: 30% Best if around half the group enters.
8 or more 1st: 60% / 2nd: 30% / 3rd: 10% Adds a third payout if the pot gets larger.

Example: If 6 players enter the overs pool, the extra overs pot would be $1,800.

Using a 70/30 payout, 1st place would receive $1,260 and 2nd place would receive $540.

Final Notes

  • Final side-game payouts will be posted closer to the trip.
  • Closest-to-the-pin contests will likely come from the $600 side game pool.
  • The overs pool is separate from the Ryder Cup team payout.
  • Par-3 / short course rounds will be used more for fun, side games, and kickoff action.
  • Final payout structure may be adjusted once overs participation is known.

Main Event + Extra Action

The standard pool keeps everyone involved in the team competition. The overs pool gives anyone who wants more action a clean individual net contest across the main 18-hole rounds.

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