One Man Scramble founder and NCGA member, Dave McCracken, answers some questions about the One Man Scramble and its inception in 2004.

How did you start the One Man Scramble (OMS)?
I actually approached the NCGA Foundation in 2004 and proposed they use the OMS format to generate revenue for the foundation. I am pleased to say that we have been able to donate each year to the NCGA Foundation. Since that time, that money has been put to good use for deserving youth. In 2008, events played nationally will benefit their respective associations and foundations.

How does the OMS format work?
I always tell players that this is just like playing a regular scramble that you have played many times before. The big difference is that this is an individual event.

How do the mulligans work?
You hit a drive and if you like it you don’t have to hit another one. You go to your ball and just like in a regular scramble you put a tee in the ground to mark your spot, clean off the ball, and place it back down within one club length, on a nice lie and hit the shot. If you hit a mulligan, you place the ball and hit another shot from the same area. You then choose the best shot of the two. You DO NOT have to play the mulligan if the original shot was better.

How fast does the format play?
The OMS actually plays faster than a standard 4-person scramble. We play in threesomes and bogey is the maximum score that is allowed.

What are the big changes for 2008?
We are very excited to be moving to the Double Mulligan format which will be a significant improvement over the past years events. Players will have two mulligans to use per hole. We used this format in our Major Championships last year and the players loved it. We will also be adding a net division to go along with the gross division that we’ve had for the past 3 years.

Is there more strategy with the Double Mulligan format?
The Double Mulligan format adds the element of strategy that was missing in the traditional OMS format (a mulligan on every shot). Players will learn very quickly that getting your drive in play is very important. The best strategy is to hit a good drive and save one mulligan for the approach shot and one mulligan for the green.

What will the players like most about the Double Mulligan format?
he format plays much faster and we will now be able to play in threesomes. This was important for the golf courses because now they get to have more participants with the threesomes rather than the twosomes that we were limited to in the past.

What level of golfer benefits most from the OMS format?
The OMS appeals to all levels of golfers — from the scratch player to the 30+ handicap. The better players will know that their competitors will be making birdies and eagles all day so there is the pressure to get out of the gate fast and fire at the pins to go as low as possible.

What about the higher handicap player?
For the higher handicap player, the OMS is their “dream round of golf”. They will benefit the most because their penalties for out-of-bounds shots and lost balls will be reduced dramatically. It is always fun for me to see the smile on a player’s face when they turn in a scorecard that is 10 shots lower than their regular score.

What type of score usually wins in the OMS?
The winning score is usually between 10–12 shots under a players handicap. A player that usually shoots around 80 will shoot around 69 or 70.

Besides the format, what is the appeal to the OMS?
Every player will feel they have a legitimate chance to win.

Who can play in the OMS?
The OMS is open to every golf member that has an established index. There will be Men’s, Women’s, and Sr. Men’s divisions.

How does a player sign up to play the OMS?
Players can register online. Players should contact their tournament director or golf professional at their club to see if they are holding a local qualifier. If their course is not participating, we will provide a list of the OMS tournaments in their area. A player can also run their own local qualifier as an OMS Tournament Director.

How does the OMS Tournament Director position work?
It’s simple! Just register online as a Tournament Director and you can run an event (12 player minimum) for your company outing, golf club, or a group of friends. We will send you a Tournament Kit to help promote your event, as well as tee prizes for every participant, and trophies for your winners. As an added benefit, OMS Tournament Directors will be able to purchase name brand golf equipment at staff discount pricing.

How much does the OMS cost?
The entry fee is $37.00 (plus green fees where applicable). Each player will receive a tee prize and winners will receive trophies and advance to a Regional Final.