One Man Scramble founder and NCGA member, Dave McCracken, answers some questions about the One Man Scramble and its inception in 2004.
How did you start the One Man Scramble™ (OMS)?
I actually approached the NCGA Foundation in 2004 and proposed they use the OMS format to generate revenue for the foundation. I am pleased to say that we have been able to donate each year to the NCGA Foundation. Since that time, that money has been put to good use for deserving youth.
How does the OMS format work?
I always tell players that this is just like playing a regular scramble that you have played many times before. The big difference is that this is an individual event.
How do the mulligans work?
You hit a drive and if you like it you don’t have to hit another one. You go to your ball and just like in a regular scramble you put a tee in the ground to mark your spot, clean off the ball, and place it back down within one club length, on a nice lie and hit the shot. If you hit a mulligan, you place the ball and hit another shot from the same area. You then choose the best shot of the two. You DO NOT have to play the mulligan if the original shot was better.
How fast does the format play?
The OMS actually plays faster than a standard 4-person scramble. We play in threesomes and bogey is the maximum score that is allowed.
Is there more strategy with the Double Mulligan format?
The Double Mulligan format adds the element of strategy that was missing in the traditional OMS format (a mulligan on every shot). Players will learn very quickly that getting your drive in play is very important. The best strategy is to hit a good drive and save one mulligan for the approach shot and one mulligan for the green.
What will the players like most about the Double Mulligan format?
The format plays much faster and we will now be able to play in threesomes. This was important for the golf courses because now they get to have more participants with the threesomes rather than the twosomes that we were limited to in the past.
What level of golfer benefits most from the OMS format?
The OMS appeals to all levels of golfers — from the scratch player to the 30+ handicap. The better players will know that their competitors will be making birdies and eagles all day so there is the pressure to get out of the gate fast and fire at the pins to go as low as possible.
What about the higher handicap player?
For the higher handicap player, the OMS is their “dream round of golf”. They will benefit the most because their penalties for out-of-bounds shots and lost balls will be reduced dramatically. It is always fun for me to see the smile on a player’s face when they turn in a scorecard that is 10 shots lower than their regular score.
What type of score usually wins in the OMS?
The winning score is usually between 10–12 shots under a players handicap. A player that usually shoots around 80 will shoot around 69 or 70.
Besides the format, what is the appeal to the OMS?
Every player will feel they have a legitimate chance to win.
Why should golfers play in the OMS?
Players will get more golf for their money and will shoot their lowest round of the year. We have the lowest entry fee of all amateur events in the U.S.
Who can play in the OMS?
The OMS is open to every golfer. There will be a Mens, Sr. Mens, and a Club Professional division. Players without an established index can only compete in the “gross” division.
How does a player sign up to play the OMS?
Players can visit us online to view a list of courses that are holding a Local Qualifier. Players should contact their tournament director or golf professional at their club to see if they are holding a Local Qualifier.
How much does the OMS cost?
The entry fee is $48 (plus green fees where applicable). Each player will receive a tee prize valued at over $80.
Where do the proceeds from player entries go?
We will be donating all net proceeds to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and youth golf programs in the U.S. With the amount of players we are expecting this year, we believe we can bring awareness to prostate cancer through golf.
