[1big_whipper]

Any WRX'ers in these parts played or planning to play any of the Ohio Valley Golf Association Amateur Tour? Any feedback about it?http://www.ovgatour.com/

[joecollege]

I'm in Cincinnati and this looks great. Won't play yet, surgery pending and also work on the weekends. Thank you for the post!

[mase77]

a buddy and i are are talking about signing up to do this. i like the idea of traveling to different courses each week to play.

mase

[Mr3Putt]

I know a couple guys who did it last year and highly recommended it over the Golf Channel Am Tour, so I might this year with them. Weekends are tough for me though because we go to Lake Cumberland as many weekends as we can.

[Bobcat43]

I played a few OVGA events last year. And I've played many events on the GCAT (used to be Michelob Ultra tour and AAGT). Here's my take on the two.

The GCAT is run very professionally and you really don't find guys sandbagging and cheating (there are always a few exceptions). But it is fairly expensive and there aren't many options (may only play 2 weekends a month). They do have some fun 2 day events but as always there is some travel involved. I've had a great time in the events. I even played (and won) an event in Florida when I was on vacation.

The OVGA tour is less professionally run (nothing against Chad and the guys they are great) but pace of play can be a gamble at times. You can also find that the rules can be loose at times. Guys not putting out and other minor and some major violations. It's more of a neighborhood type tour. I've been assured that many of these things will be cleared up this season (supposedly they are going to the practice of keeping you partners score = accountability). But I will say this they play almost every weekend and both Saturday and Sunday and the fees are usually better then you can do on your own. Personally, some of the problems are just growing pains and the organizers seem to take constructive critizism well. I think the upside is certainly there and the price is right. Oh yeah I'll be the A$$ making everyone play by the rules.

But nothing against the GCAT but I will probably be playing more OVGA tour events this year. They play closer to home and the fees are low. But they play every weekend and it's easier to get to the events. Having said all that if you want to hone your game for the MET or USGA events you will find the GCAT closer to that style (not really there but closer).

Which ever you do... just do one you'll have a blast either way. Play well.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Sure, I know someone who plays in it and realy has fun. My problem is commiting in advance. It's all handicapped and ANYONE can win...

[1big_whipper]

Thanks guys, sounds good enough for me to check it out this year. Hopefully I may run into some of you.

[whartonr]

I also have a friend who plays this tour regularly and seems to enjoy it. I prefer to focus on scratch events (Met,USGA,etc..) myself, but I will probably play one OVGA event (Snow Hill) as a guest of his this year. From what I have heard and seen it seems to be a very well run tour. I know pace of play has been an issue, but its always seems to be an issue no matter tournament I play in.

[minitour]

whartonr, on Feb 16 2008, 07:53 PM, said:

I also have a friend who plays this tour regularly and seems to enjoy it. I prefer to focus on scratch events (Met,USGA,etc..) myself, but I will probably play one OVGA event (Snow Hill) as a guest of his this year. From what I have heard and seen it seems to be a very well run tour. I know pace of play has been an issue, but its always seems to be an issue no matter tournament I play in.

I know GCAT is flighted but are the flights not played at scratch?

-mini

[Bobcat43]

minitour, on Feb 17 2008, 02:49 AM, said:

whartonr, on Feb 16 2008, 07:53 PM, said:

I also have a friend who plays this tour regularly and seems to enjoy it. I prefer to focus on scratch events (Met,USGA,etc..) myself, but I will probably play one OVGA event (Snow Hill) as a guest of his this year. From what I have heard and seen it seems to be a very well run tour. I know pace of play has been an issue, but its always seems to be an issue no matter tournament I play in.

I know GCAT is flighted but are the flights not played at scratch?

-mini

You are correct sir.

[minitour]

Bobcat43, on Feb 17 2008, 05:24 PM, said:

minitour, on Feb 17 2008, 02:49 AM, said:

whartonr, on Feb 16 2008, 07:53 PM, said:

I also have a friend who plays this tour regularly and seems to enjoy it. I prefer to focus on scratch events (Met,USGA,etc..) myself, but I will probably play one OVGA event (Snow Hill) as a guest of his this year. From what I have heard and seen it seems to be a very well run tour. I know pace of play has been an issue, but its always seems to be an issue no matter tournament I play in.

I know GCAT is flighted but are the flights not played at scratch?

-mini

You are correct sir.

Awesome.

Seems pricey...but might be all I have in Northern Ohio.

O-H

-mini

[Bobcat43]

minitour, on Feb 18 2008, 01:29 AM, said:

Bobcat43, on Feb 17 2008, 05:24 PM, said:

minitour, on Feb 17 2008, 02:49 AM, said:

whartonr, on Feb 16 2008, 07:53 PM, said:

I also have a friend who plays this tour regularly and seems to enjoy it. I prefer to focus on scratch events (Met,USGA,etc..) myself, but I will probably play one OVGA event (Snow Hill) as a guest of his this year. From what I have heard and seen it seems to be a very well run tour. I know pace of play has been an issue, but its always seems to be an issue no matter tournament I play in.

I know GCAT is flighted but are the flights not played at scratch?

-mini

You are correct sir.

Awesome.

Seems pricey...but might be all I have in Northern Ohio.

O-H

-mini

I-O

[teampowers]

I am currently a member of the OVGA and I was a member of the mich ultra tour before. I like the OVGA better. The people are more laid back and you don't have a bunch of the people that live and die for this. They play the same courses and it is MUCH cheaper. I remember paying $100 to play most events for the Mich Ultra Tour. The fees for the OVGA is usually right inline with the greens fees of the course that you are playing.

Oh...Snow hill is a really nice course. Played there last year and I liked it.

[whartonr]

teampowers, on Feb 18 2008, 12:37 PM, said:

I am currently a member of the OVGA and I was a member of the mich ultra tour before. I like the OVGA better. The people are more laid back and you don't have a bunch of the people that live and die for this. They play the same courses and it is MUCH cheaper. I remember paying $100 to play most events for the Mich Ultra Tour. The fees for the OVGA is usually right inline with the greens fees of the course that you are playing.

Oh...Snow hill is a really nice course. Played there last year and I liked it.

Glad to hear you liked it. I used to a member there growing up and playing Jr. golf. I always enjoy going back there. It is a very good course that most people in Cincy have never even heard of. Well worth the hour long drive to get there.

[teampowers]

whartonr, on Feb 18 2008, 06:55 PM, said:

teampowers, on Feb 18 2008, 12:37 PM, said:

I am currently a member of the OVGA and I was a member of the mich ultra tour before. I like the OVGA better. The people are more laid back and you don't have a bunch of the people that live and die for this. They play the same courses and it is MUCH cheaper. I remember paying $100 to play most events for the Mich Ultra Tour. The fees for the OVGA is usually right inline with the greens fees of the course that you are playing.

Oh...Snow hill is a really nice course. Played there last year and I liked it.

Glad to hear you liked it. I used to a member there growing up and playing Jr. golf. I always enjoy going back there. It is a very good course that most people in Cincy have never even heard of. Well worth the hour long drive to get there.

I never knew the course was out there. I was told my a Pro if I ever had that chance, that I had to play it. I am going to miss this years event though since I am going on vacation.