Details and FAQ regarding
the Friends of Villanova Golfathon Challenge

Q: How do I raise money for my selected team?
You earn points for each par-or-better hole that you score. You solicit pledges from peers, friends, family, etc for each point you earn. Based on Gross Scores for each hole played, points are:
•  Double Eagle = 16pts
•  Eagle = 8pts
•  Birdie = 4pt
•  Par = 2 pt
•  Net Par = 1pt

Q: Can I also pledge money per point and have friends and family sponsor me?
A: Yes! It is a golf-a-thon. It is an opportunity to celebrate all your pars-or-better scores and make them count towards something meaningful. We therefore encourage you to additionally pledge for yourself and solicit as many pledges as you can from friends, family and peers.

Q: What charity will my personal donations go to?
A: Villanova Sports Programs. At registration, you select your favorite sports program from a dropdown list At the end of the golf-a-thon, the ParsforVillanova databank will notify you of how much you owe. You send your payment directly to the program. You will be mailed a receipt for tax purposes. We are also diligently soliciting pledges from several corporate sponsors

Q: What is the minimum amount that I can pledge per point?
A: One cent. You also specify a target which is the maximum amount that you will be responsible for regardless of the total calculated using your per point pledge. You send your payment directly to your charity. You will be mailed a receipt for tax purposes. We are also diligently soliciting pledges from several corporate sponsors. You can also change your pledge and target anytime before Nomember 30th of current year

Q: Is this a traditional, one day golf tournament?
A: No, the Friends of Villanova Golfathon Challenge runs from January 1st – December 31st. Every round you play, regardless of where played count. For current Villanova golf team players, only competitive and qualifier rounds count.

Q: Who is eligible to play?
A: All Alumni, friends, family and students of Villanova University B: Corporate sponsors who want to support a class team!

Q: What is the competitive team structure?
A: College and year. Teams can have between 12 and 24 players

Q: Do I need a handicap?
A: No, players do not need to have an established handicap, everyone is welcome to join. The Pars for Charity database will calculate for you a Golf Ability Rating (GAR) based upon the scorecards you turn in. A GAR is very similar to that of the USGA Official Handicap.

Q: Do I need to have a team selected before I can play?
A: Yes, At registration, you provide your college and year.

Q: What does the registration fee cover?
A: Membership To Golfchamp Databank and administrative costs associated with the 2010 Friends of Villanova Golfathon Challenge. It will also provide you additional access to Pars for Charity for 1 year - Jan 1 - Dec 31 to enable you to track all your cards and playing statistics.

•  You will be provided with a golfname and password for the GolfChamp databank upon receipt of your payment. To view and maintain your individual scores and data profile, access the Personal Databank . Upon entering, click on the "Members"  logo located on both the top and side menu bar and enter your golfname and password. Then, select any menu-item from your personalized menu bar.

Q: Virtual-but-real Competition - Player Ranking (Modified Stableford/ Quota System)? A:

• You play golf with your normal foursomes, on your own courses and on your own schedule.
• You enter/deposit your scores - as is - into the ParsforVillanova Databank
• ParsforVillanova uses the GolfChamp Databank services to do the rest. Once you have entered 5 or more scores, a modified stableford system (often referred to as the Over Quota System) is used to to do the rest:
• 1. You start each round with a number of "quota points" that you need to earn during each round.
  2. Your starting "quota points" is 36 minus your "GAR/Handicap" plus the difference between Par and the course rating for the set of tees being played. Your "GAR/Handicap" is calculated automatically for you by the GolfChamp databank and becomes more accurate with the more scores entered
  3. You earn points for each bogey-or-better you score during the round. Points are: Bogey = 1, Par = 2, Birdie = 4, Eagle = 8 and Double-eagle 16. You lose 1 point for each Triple or worse
  4. Your OverQuota value is the points you earned during the round - minus - your starting quota
  5. You are ranked against others using the average of the best 4 of your last 9 OverQuota scores
  6. Example:
     1. Your GAR/Handicap (Calculated by GolfChamp Databank) = 16
     2. Your played the blue tees - PAR = 72 and Course Rating = 71.0
     3. Your Starting quota  = 36 - 16 + (72.0 - 71.0) = 21
     4. You made 5 bogies, 6 pars, 1 birdie and 2 triples during your round
     5. You earned (5 *1) + (6*2) + (1*4)-(2*1) = 19 points
     6. Your OverQuota value for the round = (19 - 21) = -2. ** Even or over is the desired result 

Q: Virtual-but-real Competition - Team Ranking?
A:  Teams are ranked against each other based on the average overQuota scores of their top 6 ranked players..