World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus joined with Bob Longmire, the originator of the PGA Junior League, to create and launch the Doubles Golf concept in 2020.
Over the last four years, they have slowly rolled it out across the United States in select locations with quiet success. The quiet part seems to be coming to an end.
Doubles Golf is a two-player scramble series in which teams compete locally in one of four divisions: Men, Women, Seniors, and Mixed Doubles. Note that the age requirements for the Doubles Golf divisions are a bit different from many events:
· Men’s Division – any two men 25 to 59 years of age.
· Women’s Division – any two women 25 to 59 years of age.
· Mixed Couples Division – one man and one woman 25 to 59 years of age.
· Senior Division – any two players 60 years of age or older.
When two players enter, their age, gender, and current GHIN Handicap Index will slot the team into the proper Division and corresponding Flight: ‘A’ (Scratch) or ‘B’ (Net). Then gross scores are used across those eight different categories.
Courses and clubs typically run a weekly Doubles Golf league to determine their top teams. State golf associations usually conduct a qualifying tournament. In either case, the goal is to determine the best team in each of those eight divisions/flights.
Once identified, those teams advance to a state championship, with the ‘A’ Teams having a chance to move on to the National Championships.
Here’s the kicker for Northern Ohio players: the prior state championships for Ohio have been played at the end of September at Muirfield Village Golf Club (still awaiting site confirmation for 2025). Then the national finals are conducted in early November at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, FL. Talk about Jack Nicklaus selecting powerhouse tournament sites to pique interest!
Another bonus is the price: the fee to participate in any of the local Doubles Golf leagues or qualifiers is just $10 per year per player for NOGA members, or $20 annually for non-members, plus the tournament or league entry fees. Once a player has paid the Doubles Golf annual fee, no other tournament entry fees are collected as players move on to state or national competitions.
Northern Ohio Qualifying Tournaments
The Northern Ohio Golf Association and its NOHIO.GOLF Series will conduct qualifiers for Doubles Golf in 2025:
NOHIO.GOLF 2-P Scramble + Doubles Golf Qualifier
Saturday, June 14
The Quarry Golf Club, Canton
Scratch ‘A’ Teams only in Men, Women, Seniors, and Mixed Doubles Divisions
NOGA Doubles Golf Qualifying Tournament
Thursday, July 31
Boulder Creek Golf Club, Streetsboro
Scratch ‘A’ + Net ‘B’ Teams in Men, Women, Seniors, and Mixed Doubles Divisions
Entry into each of these events will open three weeks in advance on NOGA’s Golf Genius platform. The optional $10 per player Doubles Golf fee will be paid during registration for either of the above events at the time of entry. Complete entry details will follow, but you can read the Doubles Golf FAQs in advance.
Golf course owners and PGA or LPGA Professionals interested in running an event or weekly league can review the information outlined at DoublesGolf.com.
Allen Freeman