Courses and Rules
See the four championship courses hosting the 2027 GCSAA Golf Championships, plus tournament competitions, policies and everything you need to know before you tee off.
Register NowJan. 16-18, 2027
Four courses on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Biloxi, Miss.
Courses
The 2027 GCSAA Golf Championships take place across four championship courses along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Fallen Oak Golf
An 18-hole championship course in Saucier, Mississippi, designed by Tom Fazio and known for oak trees, wetlands and rolling terrain.
The Preserve Golf Club
An 18-hole, Par 71 championship course in Vancleave, Mississippi, designed by Jerry Pate and surrounded by 1,800 acres of protected nature preserve.
Windance Country Club
An 18-hole championship course in Gulfport, Mississippi, designed by Mark McCumber, with rolling terrain and numerous water hazards.
Grand Bear Golf Club
An 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course set within the Desoto National Forest in Saucier, Mississippi.
Competitions
The GCSAA Golf Championships offer five ways to compete, from a two-day flighted tournament to a one-day scramble.
Four-Ball
You and your partner each play your own ball. Pairings may be requested but are not guaranteed.
- Lower score counts for the hole
- No penalty if one player does not complete the hole
- Up to four divisions; combined handicap cannot exceed 45
- Only one golfer with professional status may play on a team
Scramble
A one-day, stand-alone event open to all members. Perfect for those who can't make the full tournament.
- Open to all members
- Network with industry experts and unwind at the 19th Hole Reception
- Choose your own foursome or be paired randomly
Golf Classic
The longest-running and most popular tournament event. A two-day flighted tournament open to all skill levels.
- Uses the point quota scoring system
- Point quota equals 36 minus your verified handicap index
- Maximum handicap index for point scoring is 30
- Handicap index over 30 gets a minimum of 6 points per day
- 0 Double Bogey or worse
- 1 Bogey
- 2 Par
- 3 Birdie
- 4 Eagle
- 5 Double Eagle
National Championship
- 36-hole stroke play
- Open to the first 72 entrants with a verified handicap index of 5.0 or below
- Overall champion and a low senior champion (age 50 and over) are crowned
Chapter Competition
Competing in the National Championship or Golf Classic? Opt into the Chapter Team Competition.
- Gross and net winners earn 75% of entry fees back to their chapter
- Entry fee: $20 per player
- Teams of five, designated by a team captain no later than 15 days before the tournament start
- Only one affiliate member per team; a member may play on only one team
Competition Policy
Policy overview
Your current handicap, reflecting a handicap index based on 18 holes, is required to complete your registration. The USGA handicap index is used to verify eligibility for the National Championship.
All indexes will be verified approximately 45 days prior to the competition, and the index at that time will be used. Players must have a verified handicap or declare as a professional to be eligible to compete. For Canadian competitors, The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) will apply.
Tournament officials determine handicap ranges for the Golf Classic handicapped flights. Senior Flights are available – Senior and Super Senior (based on age requirement as of the close of registration deadline of Dec. 17, 2026). If you are eligible and wish to compete in a senior flight, you must include this on your registration form. Otherwise, you will be placed in the flight based on your handicap index. All affiliate and student members will be placed into the affiliate flight regardless of handicap index or age.
Repeat flight winners
If a competitor has won or been the runner-up for two consecutive years, the player will be subject to further handicap verification and review. The competitor will play in the current year to 85% of verified handicap and be placed into the flight corresponding to the adjusted handicap.
If it is determined that the competitor knowingly submitted an incorrect handicap, the competitor will be subject to disqualification and/or ineligibility to compete in the GCSAA Golf Championships. Tournament officials reserve the right to assign a player into any flight deemed appropriate.
Starting times and pairings
National Championship. Starting times and groupings for Round 1 will be available in the registration area for the GCSAA Golf Championships at The Preserve Golf Club. Pairings will not be made available prior to the opening of registration. Round 2 (final round) starting times and groupings will be sent via text during the 19th Hole Reception and posted on the GCSAA Golf Championships Golf Genius website. Affiliate members are not allowed to play in the National Championship; ineligible affiliate-related members will be contacted and removed from the event.
Golf Classic. Competitors will have a shotgun start each day. Groupings and hole assignments will be available in the registration area for the GCSAA Golf Championships at Fallen Oak Golf and Grand Bear Golf Club. Pairings will not be made available prior to the opening of registration. Round 2 (final round) starting times and groupings will be sent via text during the 19th Hole Reception and posted on the GCSAA Golf Championships Golf Genius website.
Competitors are solely responsible for knowing their tee time each day.
Registration deadlines
The deadline for Early Bird pricing is Oct. 16, 2026. Those who secure their spot by this date will lock in Early Bird pricing. Standard pricing begins Dec. 12, 2026. All competitors must complete the registration process and submit appropriate fees beginning in September. Only one entry may be submitted per player. Registration for the 2027 GCSAA Golf Championships closes at midnight on Dec. 17, 2026.
A waiting list will be established if a full field of registrations is received prior to the deadline. All wait-listed registrations, and all applications received after the deadline, will be returned and the fee refunded after the event.
Cancellation/refund policy
Full or partial cancellation requests must be received in writing by the entry deadline of midnight on Dec. 17, 2026, to receive a refund. After this date, entry fees will be refunded only in the event of injury or medical emergency, if requested in writing by the first day of competition.
No refunds can be given after the start of competition. Substitutions will not be accepted. A $50 administrative fee will be deducted from all refunds.
Official rules and regulations
Official rules and regulations for the GCSAA Golf Championships will be sent electronically to all registered competitors.
Championship details
Everything else you need before you tee it up.