OFFICIAL RULES
How It All Works
Scoring Season:
April 1, 2024 thru November 14, 2024
BirdieBowl Scoring:
Winner is the first participant to make a birdie (or better) on each of the 18 holes at Westborough Golf Club on or before November 14, 2024. When a birdie is made on a particular hole, a green light is illuminated on the BirdieBowl Leaderboard. When an eagle or better is made on a particular hole, a red light is illuminated on the BirdieBowl Leaderboard. For the sake of scoring, birdies are worth 1 point and eagles (or better) are worth 2 points. Multiple birdies or eagles on a particular hole do not count as additional points – example: if you birdie the 10th hole 5 times during the season, you only get 1 green light and 1 point for that hole. If by the end of the BirdieBowl season no participant has birdied all 18 holes, the winner is the participant with the most points. For example, if “Player A” ends the season with 16 green lights (birdies) and “Player B” ends the season with 15 green lights (birdies) and 1 red light (eagle), “Player B” will be deemed the BirdieBowl Champion with 17 points. In the event of a tie, both names will be etched into the BirdieBowl trophy.
Round Eligibility:
In order for a birdie (or better) to count for BirdieBowl scoring purposes, it must occur during a round played with at least 1 other player. Birdies/eagles made while playing alone DO NOT count. Furthermore, in order for a birdie (or better) to count, a participant must play a minimum of 7 holes during that round (holes must be played in order – whether you start on the front-side or back-side). The exception to this when you have permission from the pro shop to start on #8 (you still must play at least 7 consecutive holes, 8-9-1-2-3-4-5). Birdies made during scramble play do not count. There is no maximum number of holes/rounds a participant can play in 1-day. There are no “gimme” putts in BirdieBowl. All putts must be holed – even in tournament play. Finally, if a player is playing multiple balls on a hole and that player makes a birdie on one of their balls, the birdie does not count. All USGA and Local Rules apply.
Posting Birdies/Eagles:
When a birdie (or better) is made, participants must post their accomplishment in the "Post Your Birdie!" section of BirdieBowl.com. Here you can click the "Light Me Up!" button and complete submission form with the requested fields. Please include in your submission the specific hole you birdied or eagled and the date you did it. [Example: "I Birdied #12 on 6/4/24. Light me up!!!"] Leaderboards will be updated each Sunday night (and sometimes more frequently). If for some reason a participant does not have access to the internet, they can send Andrew Burton a text message (617-233-8666). All participants are highly encouraged to use BirdieBowl.com for all communications.
"A" and "B" Divisions:
Each year the BirdieBowl has 2 divisions, each fighting for their own championship. The “A” Division will include all golfers who start the year with a course handicap index of 10 or below. The “B” Division will include all golfers who start the year with a handicap index of 11 or above. However, if your handicap index is 11 or above and you would like to compete in the “A” division, you may elect to do so when posting your first birdie (just let me know). You may not switch divisions after posting your first birdie.
Sign-up and Participation Fee:
In 2024, we are allowing FREE participation in BirdieBowl for the first 3 months (April thru June). This will allow more golfers to try out the competition and decide for themselves if they have what it takes to climb the leaderboard. However, if you want your birdies (or better) to count on or after July 1st, you will have to pay a small "participation fee" of $10.00. This fee helps us cover the website/domain costs, trophy engraving, and prize money for the winners of each division. Payment of the $10.00 participation fee can be made via Venmo to @Andrew-Burton-51. If you do not have Venmo, you can just pay me cash at the golf course. Again, if you have not paid your participation fee prior to July 1st, your leaderboard will be suspended until payment is received. Birdies (or better) made during a period of suspension will not count.