ROCHESTER, N.Y. (FLX) — FLX Tour officials announced Wednesday that the Genesee Invitational tournament setup is now live in the 18 Birdies app (the official app of the FLX Tour), and they are urging participants to join as soon as possible. FLX Tour officials also announced the rules, payouts, and more.
The early tournament set up follows a misstep by leadership earlier this year at the Churchville Classic, where several technicial difficulties led to a delayed start and confusion among Tour pros.
“The reality is that Matt and Shane don’t really know what they’re doing on that app,” FLX Tour Head of Content and Rules Czar Joey Mortillaro said. “Have you ever seen some of the shots Shane tracks? It’s like he starts 40 yards behind the tee box. Like that guy’s teeing off behind the tees? Gimme a break. And Matt? His fat fingers give him a fairway tee shot every time. They’re out of their depth so I’m stepping up. Hey, while I got you here … could I interest you in a few ball markers?”
“Yeah he’s right,” FLX Tour Co-Commissioner Matt Driffill said. “I had no fuckin’ clue what I was doing.”
“I really thought I hit that drive 340,” FLX Tour Co-Commissioner Shane Driffil said. “I didn’t know.”
FLX Tour leaders are encouraring all pros playing in Sunday’s tournament to login to 18 Birdies and join the tournament so it will be smoother come tee time. By joining early, Tour pros will help organizers handle the teams and handicaps before the the starter bell is rung.
Speaking of handicaps, let’s go over the rules for the tournament, shall we?
2023 Genesee Invitational Rules
- Two-man Best Ball Format. Both golfers on each team play their own golf balls throughout the the round and the lower score between them on each hole counts as the team score. Per the USGA Handicap Manual guidance, we will be applying a 90% application of each players handicap and no handicap shall exceeed 36.
- Finish putts no matter the distance.
- Play the entire course OB as red stakes. Take drop (1 stroke penalty) one club length from where the ball crossed out of play. You can not go towards the hole when dropping!
- Establish in your group what ball you are playing. If the ball is in a wooded area or beyond a red stake, confirm with your cart partner that your ball is yours. You may choose to play the ball as it lies if you are choosing to play out of an unfavorable area or take a drop with a drop (club length from where the ball entered the unfavorable area and a one-stroke penalty.)
- No “re-tees” or “3 off the tee” from the tee box. If your ball goes out of play off the tee, apply your drop where it went out.
- Three-minute limit rule for lost balls. Take a drop and one-stroke penalty nearest to the last seen area where your ball may have been (assistance and confirmation with group/cart partner). ZERO FREE DROPS! Lost balls after the three minutes are up will result in a one-stroke penalty!
- ABSOLUTELY ZERO FREE DROPS FOR ANYONE! This is a golf tournament for money, not a Sunday with the boys. Show some respect for yourself, your colleagues on the tour, and the game.
- Light fluff allowed. DO NOT move the ball laterally or forward to a better angle at the hole. Light fluff is defined officially as using a club to lightly alter the lie of the ball, but NOT by using your hand.
- Club lengths near unplayable zones should be decided within the group (ball near a cart path, roped-off area, etc.)
- Any person(s) caught cheating within the group or violating any of the aforementioned rules will be immediately disqualified. The tournament fee is non-refundable and the player will be placed on a list for future FLX Tour major events. Further legal action may be pursued (better lawyer up bucko).*
- Handicaps for individuals are capped at 36. Players who do not have a handicap established will receive a 36 handicap.
- Have fun and keep the pace of play!
*Think we’re joking? We are not! There is already one FLX Tour Pro facing a possible suspension for the rest of the season. Better lawyer up bucko.
Payments, Payouts and Breakfast Balls
Entry for the 2023 Genesee Invitational is $10, made payable to Co-Commissioner Matt Driffill via Venmo (matthew-driffill). If you do not have Venmo, please prepare to have cash available before teeing up on the morning of the tournament. If you prefer Cash App, please re-evaluate the choices in your life that have brought you to that conclusion.
Breakfast balls are available for purchase on holes 1 and 10. They will cost $5 each and are completely optional. Proceeds from Breakfast Balls will go towards the Closest-to-the-Pin challenge on hole No. 18 and if funds from Breakfast Balls should exceed $50, the remaining capital will be reallocated to players who made the podium. Breakfast Balls are considered provisional so a payer may choose either ball they would like to continue to play when applicable. The closest to the pin will be awarded as a team bonus, so both team members will receive $25, or whatever the final determination of the fund allows.
Payment structures are dependent on the amount of Breakfast Balls purchased, but pre-tournament payouts are structured as follows:
1st Place — $160 ($80 for each team member)
2nd Place — $50 ($25 for each team member)
3 Place — $20 ($10 for each team member)
Gross Winner — $10 ($5 for each team member)
Note: If the gross winners are among the top 3 on the podium, the $10 for that prize will be awarded for an extra $10 to 1st Place to be split between teammates.
Additional Note: Closest to the pin challenge on Par 3 hole 18 will win up to $50. If Breakfast Balls purchased do not reach $50 total, the closest to the pin winner will receive the totality of the Breakfast Balls fund. If more than $50 is entered into this fund, the closest to the pin winner will receive $50 and the remaining funds will be reallocated to the top 3 players in a to-be-determined fashion based on final amounts.
Additional Note No. 2: For the closest to the pin challenge, the course will supply us with a list, tape measure, and clipboard for monitoring the closest distances as each group progresses. It’s also on hole 18 so it should be a lively gallery setting.
Teams and tee times for the 2023 Genesee Invitational
| Tee Time | Team | Team |
| 9:10 a.m. | Matt Driffill & Dan Riesenburger (bell ringers) | Dan Driffill & Kyle Pierce (bell ringers) |
| 9:20 a.m. | Chuck Pace & Shane Driffill (bell ringers) | Evan Santiago & Kevin Moynihan (bell ringers) |
| 9:30 a.m. | Jesse Cramer & Nathan Wirth (bell ringers) | Sean Sawyer & Patrick Moynihan |
| 9:40 a.m. | Brendan Millward & Boston Slootmahker | Chris Miers & Brandon Moynihan |
| 9:50 a.m. | Tim Dorsheimer & Gene Ferrera | Danny Driffill & Brier Koroly |
| 10 a.m. | Tom Deiure & Mike Mortillaro | Joey Mortillaro & Jack Burns (bell ringers) |
| 10:10 a.m. | Danny Ott & Steve Nally (bell ringers) | Ryan Pancione & Alex M. Dooley (bell ringers) |
Extra Info
Media will be at the course around 8 a.m. to conduct interviews around the driving range and putting green. Participation is optional, but if you do plan to be an ambassador for the FLX Tour, know that your words will be vetted for future content purposes and that you should dress your best.
Staff at Genesee Valley Golf Course request that players arrive and check in at least 20 minutes before their tee time. Also, upon completion of your round, you are asked to return the carts back to their designated area and then join the gallery above the green on 18 for laughs and camaraderie.
Stick around after the conclusion of the tournament for the Trophy Presentation, group photo, potential Champions’ Luncheons at Shamrock Jack’s, and more fun surprises along the way.
Keep an eye on the calendar! The final FLX Tour major of the season has already been announced and spots are filling up quickly!
FLX TOUR Golf 