Tournament Rules

The Annual Sand Trap Soldiers Classic is a 2-day net stroke play tournament played over two rounds on championship courses in the Southern Pines / Pinehurst area of North Carolina.

The tournament is invite-only and limited to a maximum of 24 players. Players on the waitlist will be notified if a spot becomes available.

All scores are recorded as gross scores. Net scores are calculated by subtracting each player's Course Handicap from their gross score.

The player with the lowest total net score over both rounds is the Overall Net Champion.

All players must declare a valid USGA Handicap Index (or equivalent) at the time of registration. The declared index must be accurate and current.

The tournament administrator will calculate each player's Course Handicap using the official USGA formula:

Course Handicap is calculated separately for each round based on the specific course, tees, course rating, slope rating, and par for that day.

The administrator reserves the right to adjust a player's Handicap Index if there is credible evidence it does not accurately reflect the player's current ability.

If a player's gross score is more than 5 strokes better than their target score (Par + Course Handicap), the anti-sandbagging penalty is automatically applied.

When the penalty is triggered, the player's net score is capped at Par − 5 for that round, regardless of their actual net score.

The formula: if Gross Score < (Par + Course Handicap − 5), then Net Score = Par − 5.

Players whose scores trigger the anti-sandbagging rule will be flagged in the system and the tournament administrator will be notified immediately.

If the penalty is triggered after Round 1 (Day 1), the player's handicap will be reassessed and adjusted by the tournament committee before Round 2 begins. The revised handicap will reflect the player's demonstrated scoring ability.

Following the handicap reassessment, the player will be re-assigned to the appropriate flight based on their updated course handicap. Flight re-assignment is final and not subject to appeal.

The Round 1 net score cap (Par − 5) remains in effect and carries forward into the overall standings. The adjusted handicap and new flight assignment apply to Round 2 only.

Players are divided into three competitive flights based on their declared Handicap Index:

Flight assignments are made by the tournament administrator after registration closes. The administrator may manually override automatic flight assignments at their discretion.

Overall Net Champion — The player with the lowest total net score over both rounds. This player earns a Green Jacket to keep forever and is expected to wear it at all future events. They also hold the Sand Trap Soldier Belt for the year, which is passed on to the next Net Champion.

Low Gross Champion — The player with the lowest total gross score over both rounds. This player earns a Green Jacket to keep forever and is expected to wear it at all future events. They also hold the Tournament Trophy for the year, which is passed on to the next Gross Champion.

Flight Winners — The player with the lowest net score within each flight (A, B, and C) is recognized as the Flight Champion.

There are no daily skill contests or extra awards. The competition is focused exclusively on net scores, gross scores, and flight standings.

In the event of a tie for the Overall Net Champion, the tiebreaker is determined by the lower net score on the final round (Round 2).

If still tied after Round 2, the tiebreaker proceeds to the back 9 of Round 2, then the back 9 of Round 1.

If a tie persists through all tiebreaker procedures, the players will share the title and the prize will be determined by mutual agreement or coin flip.

The same tiebreaker procedure applies to Flight winners and the Low Gross Champion.

All players are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of sportsmanship and respect for fellow competitors, course staff, and the traditions of the game.

USGA Rules of Golf apply at all times unless a local rule is posted on the scorecard or announced by the tournament administrator.

Pace of play is important. Groups falling significantly behind pace may be subject to penalties at the discretion of the tournament administrator.

The tournament administrator's decisions on all matters are final.