GENTLEMEN:
Welcome to our 2025 Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour season. We are ready to accept your 2025 Application which is attached to this email in PDF and Word Document formats.  It is also available on the RVSGT website at www.rvsgt.org, and you are encouraged to share this information with friends 55 and older who might be interested in joining the Tour.  They should submit applications now, which will be processed on April 1^st in the order of receipt.  2024 members have until March 31^st to submit applications and secure positions on the 2025 Tour.  If you have no updates to your information, you can mail Joe Bass a check for your applicable fees: $125 for Basic Membership, or $185 if you participate in the Medalist Division.  Your current information can be found on the attached ROSTER.pdf file.  If you have any changes, please submit a new application with your updated information. 

We will process applications from new applicants on April 1^st.  We limit the Tour to 120 members plus Alternates, so renew and secure your slot early.  Outlined below is basic information for this year, with minor changes from last year.  We will notify you if there are other changes. The 2025 Tournament Schedule is at the bottom of this email, as well as on the website and application.

1. Pairings – We will continue random pairings, balancing groups by total handicap for pace-of-play.  We will consider limited pairing requests, but with no guarantee.  Any requests must be submitted from both members.  Generally,  foursome requests are not allowed.
2. Smoking –The Tour requests that smokers refrain from smoking in carts, on tee boxes, or on the putting green. You may smoke elsewhere on the course, away from others in the group, so long as play is not delayed. This simplifies the pairings process and encourages a more healthy environment on the Tour.
3. Forward Tees (Changed for 2025) - We will continue the option for eligible members to play from Forward Tees.  Eligibility is now “Age 70 or older as of 5/12/2025”. We are dropping the Age + Hdcp = 90 requirement.  Our current handicap system will calculate the player’s Event Handicap based on the specific tee being played to shoot even par, so the fairness of the competition is maintained regardless of the tee being played.  Eligible players will have the option to check the Forward Tee box on the Application, and in doing so are assigned to the Forward Tee for the entire season.  Note that Event Handicaps are typically reduced approximately 3 to 5 strokes when playing the Forward Tee, depending on the tee ratings/slopes of course being played.  Note: Medalist Division participation is from the Senior Tee only.
4. Handicaps & Flights – Each player’s Handicap Index is computed based on Tour scores and ratings for the specific tee played. The Event Handicap is calculated by taking the player’s Handicap Index, applying the rating and slope for the specific tee played, and expressing it as the number of strokes required to shoot Par, which should typically occur only once every 4^th or 5^th round.  We will utilize the USGA recommendation to use 95% of handicap in large field competitions, creating a more level competition across the broad range of handicaps.  Flighting will continue to be based on handicaps; however, in a Multi-Tee environment we split the field into three flights based on Handicap Index rather than Event Handicap.
5. Medalist Division – We will continue with the Virtual Medalist Division in 2025.  This virtual division is open only to members playing from the Regular Senior Tees.  Medalist Tournament Awards, derived from the $60 fee, are based on Gross Score.  75% of the total awards are paid out at individual tournaments, with 25% going to Year End Awards, which are based on Points similar to the regular Tour.  Refer to the MEDALIST DIVISION tab on the website for complete details.  
6. Tour Awards – Remains the same for 2025.  Each tournament payout will total $625 in hosting course Gift Cards.  Five places for three Divisions with the lowest net score being declared Tournament Low Net, receiving an $80 GC award plus trophy.  The other two division winners receive $60 GC plus trophy.  Tournament Low Gross wins an $80 gift card on top of any net award they may win.  All players are encouraged to stick around until they have been beaten out by five players in their flight.  This will save you a trip back to the hosting course to redeem your gift card.  Typically, a net score of par will be in the money.  On a day with tough conditions, net scores a few strokes over par may place.  Year End Awards, which are based on points, remain the same.  See AWARDS on the website for full details.

The price of golf has gone up.  Note all Tournament Fees will be $40 this year.  Please submit your applications early and be sure to become familiar with our website at www.rvsgt.org, and specifically the Rules of Play. 

Mail Check & Application with updates to:
Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour
c/o Joe Bass
6381 Homewood Circle
Roanoke, VA  24018

Rick Crotts - Chair                    Ken Kornegay
crottsrick@yahoo.com                  kkornegay@cox.net
540-580-3116                             540-525-6973c