2020-2021 TGCT Rookie Design Challenge - Rules and Info

[ErixonStone]

Once again, on the heels of the TGCTours Challenge Circuit Design Championship, it is time, once again, to give the new guys a shot at a design title!  

Welcome to the 2020-2021 TGCTours Rookie Design Challenge!

Last year's event came to a dramatic close as Ben Page's Marlette Fells toppled Jamie MacPherson's Royal Bahiir in the head-to-head finals. Who will come from obscurity and join the likes of b101 , ryanmcconnell and mayday_golf83 as Rookie Design Champions? Will it be you?

Registration opens on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at 12 noon EDT.

What are the entry restrictions?

This contest is open to any designer who meets the following criteria at the time of registration:

• Has not designed a course that has hosted any TGCTours event in any season (including ones using earlier editions of The Golf Club)
• Has not designed more than two courses that have been accepted into the TGCTours Course Database
• Has not participated in any Design Contest administered through the TGCTours forum website (including unofficial contests), or the 2016 HB Rookie Design Contest

Is there a maximum number of entrants?

Yes.  There will be a maximum of 32 entrants.  Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis.  

How do I enter?

A Registration thread will be opened on September 1, 2020, at 12 noon Eastern Time (EDT).  Simply post your name, forum name, and platform in that thread once it opens.

Is there a deadline to enter?

Registration will close at 11:59 PM EDT on September 30, 2020, or after 32 entrants have registered, whichever comes first.

When can I start?
You can start any time after posting in the registration thread.

Is there any restriction or rules regarding theme?

No.  You can design in any theme that you would like.

Is there a target difficulty?
No.  Design what you like!

Can I submit a Real Course Recreation (RCR)?

No.  Show us how you would build a course!

Can I create a fictional course on a plot built using LiDAR?
No.  LiDAR is only available to designers on PC and is not available to designers on consoles.

Can I share my progress with the TGCT community before the publishing window opens?

Yes!  We encourage it!  We want this to be a social event, and we want quality courses.  That means the designers will have free reign to reach out to anyone for advice and help learning the tools.  

Are designers allowed to publish test courses (Betas)?

Yes!  Get some advice from the amazing community here at TGCTours.  It's all about you growing as a designer.

Are designers allowed to share course files?
No, sorry, this is a step too far.  This option isn't available on consoles, and we want the course to be all your work.

When is the submission deadline?

Friday, January 1, 2021, 11:59 PM EST.  Courses must be published in PGA TOUR 2K21 on or before January 1, 2021.

What is the event format?

- Group Round - Courses divided into four groups.  The top 3 courses from each group, plus four wild-cards will advance to the semi-finals
- Elimination Round - The judges will rank their top 8 courses.  The 8 courses that score the most points will move on to the finals
- Finals - The remaining 8 courses are ranked

What are the main points of focus?

1. Neatness and Technical Execution
2. Strategy and Playability
3. Environment

PGA TOUR 2K21 allows players to choose the course settings before their round.  How will that affect the judging?

Judging will be based on the default settings.  Designers know their courses the best.

What do I get if I win?

Bragging rights, for sure.

I am not a contestant.  Can I participate somehow?

Yes!  We need willing judges!  If you are interested in helping to pick a winner, let me know!  We need the insights of players and designers alike to help pick the best course.

[chilihotkey]

Just wanted to take this opportunity to encourage anyone considering participating.

unfortunately i cant sign up this year, but i still love the stricter requirements, hopefully making it "easier" for the new designers to get the confidence to participate.

So for anyone whos on the fence, i wholeheartedly recommend you to go for it.

first of all its really fun, but you will also learn a lot, both during your design as you will get better every day, but also afterwards with the feedback from judges and community alike.

[bmckenzie69]

I have been waiting for a couple months for this. Just to make sure I don't screw something up, what is meant by "forum name" in the sign up requirements? I don't want to miss out!

[15eicheltower9]

Aug 19, 2020 20:40:34 GMT -5 bmckenzie69 said:

I have been waiting for a couple months for this. Just to make sure I don't screw something up, what is meant by "forum name" in the sign up requirements? I don't want to miss out!

Just your username in these forums. You are bMcKenzie69. It's just a way to easily see names and not just a bunch of replies that say "in".

[15eicheltower9]

If I signed up it would look like this:

Justin Kenyon
15eicheltower9
Ps4

[mccgolfer65]

New here...so signup is September 1st?

[ErixonStone]

Aug 26, 2020 20:22:10 GMT -5 mccgolfer65 said:

New here...so signup is September 1st?

Yes, Sept 1 at noon EDT.

[jacobkessler]

I heard you’re in need of judges... I can help out! I understand if you don’t want me since I just kind of went away last year, but I’m loving this new game so I think I’ll be sticking around 

Anyways, let me know!

[lessthanbread]

I'll be a judge!

[Leecey]

Really looking forward to this. Even if I don’t make it in, I’m excited to see what new designs people create.

[mctrees02]

Really looking forward to my first competition. Here's to hoping I've learned enough from my one published course and a few other plots that never saw that light of day to put up a good showing here too.

[ErixonStone]

Updates:
- The maximum field size has been increased to 32
- 16 courses will advance to the semi-finals (top 3 from each of 4 groups, plus next 4 best from remaining 20 courses)
- 8 courses will advance to the finals

[M. Rose]

I'd like to know if I am eligible; I've had more than two accepted submissions, but I've never entered any contests previously.

[Oscar C]

Sept 1, 2020 2:10:33 GMT -5 M. Rose said:

I'd like to know if I am eligible; I've had more than two accepted submissions, but I've never entered any contests previously.

from the OP........

What are the entry restrictions?
This contest is open to any designer who meets the following criteria at the time of registration:
Has not designed more than two courses that have been accepted into the TGCTours Course Database

[cavacom]

when will the draw for the groups happen?