What is the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour?
Who can play on the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour?
Do I have to join the Volvo Tour / FORE Society?
How do I enter the events?
What is the playing format?
Can I invite friends to play?
Do you monitor handicaps?
What kind of prizes can you win?
What does a typical day include?
How does the Order of Merit Work?
What is a Volvo Championship Event?
How do I qualify for the VMA Tour UK Final?
How do I qualify for the VMA World Final?
Who organises the FORE Tour?

What is the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour?


In 2008 Volvo became the title sponsor of what for the previous 10 yrs was known as The FORE Tour and is now known as the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour. The Tour is a series of professionally organised events which provide an opportunity for amateur handicap golfers to play competitively in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on some of the UK's most renowned championship courses.

"Absolutely the best golfing events to attend as someone who wants great golf, no bandits, an efficiently run event and very friendly reception"

Who can play on the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour?

All golfers, male and female of all levels of ability are welcome to play in the events. All we insist on is that you have either a current handicap issued by a CONGU affiliated golf club or a FORE Society handicap. You can enter as an individual or with friends and we will match you up with golfers of a similar handicap and ability. Competitors under the age of 18 are welcome to take part but must be accompanied by an adult.

Competitors under the age of 18 can qualify for the UK Final but they are ineligible to qualify for the Volvo Masters Amateur World Final and will be awarded a voucher for £150 in lieu of a place in the World Final should they qualify. "I have yet to play a course I would not want to play again or be partnered with anybody whose company I did not enjoy. You can't ask for more"

"I have yet to play a course I would not want to play again or be partnered with anybody whose company I did not enjoy. You can't ask for more"

Do I have to join the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour / FORE Society?

You can play as a non Tour member but if you wish to be included in the Volvo Order of Merit you must join the VMA Tour and the FORE Society for an inclusive annual fee of £25 for 12 months membership from the date of joining.

"the FORE Tour is the best thing I have ever done relating to golf"

How do I enter the events?

• Online at www.vmatour.com
• Click the ‘ENTER’ button on the above menu
• Email entries@vmatour.com
• Call the Tournament Office on 0845 466 2222
• Fax completed entry form to 0845 466 2323
• Post completed entry form to GMM Ltd offices.

"very well organised events, friendly atmosphere with none of the stuffiness you can experience at a lot of golf clubs"

What is the playing format?

Play is either in three or fourballs and the format is always individual Stableford with full handicap allowance. The maximum playing handicap is 24 for men and 30 for ladies. Play is normally from the yellow tees depending on the length and difficulty of the course and conditions on the day. Ladies play from the red tees.

"I play cricket - but I cannot play at Lords, I play tennis but I cannot play at Wimbledon, I play golf and on the FORE Tour I can play the best courses"

Can I invite friends to play?

Yes Tour Members are welcome to invite guests and we can put you in the same match. We are finding that more and more businessmen are treating their colleagues and clients to a great day out. Non Tour members do not qualify for Volvo Order of Merit points but if they become a member we can award points retrospectively for the last event played before joining.

"a brilliant day out, I look forward to every event"

Do you monitor handicaps?

We monitor handicaps very carefully and at each event we ask to see proof of handicap as competitors check in. We operate a handicapping system whereby for every 2 stableford points a player scores over 36 his/her handicap is reduced by one stroke. We also send the cards to the handicap secretary if a competitor is a member at a golf club.

"Well organised, great courses, excellent value. Keep it up"

What kind of prizes can you win?

This question has never really been asked but without fail at every event we receive compliments about the quality of the prizes. The winner receives a trophy and the leading three competitors at least, receive a prize. We also run Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive competitions and a special 'Ray of Hope' prize for the player returning the least number of points. The first prize is often a limited edition print of a famous golf course. Remember there is always the possibility of winning a place in the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour UK Final and World Final.

What does a typical day include?

Coffee and bacon rolls await competitors on arrival at the golf club. The first match usually tees off from about 10am. The golf is followed by a dinner and prize presentation at approximately 5.00pm and the day winds up at about 6.30pm. When we have 70 or more competitors playing the first few matches are offered the opportunity to eat as soon as they finish to avoid waiting around. Dress code for the dinner is usually smart casual although some clubs insist on a jacket and tie and the equivalent for ladies.

How does the Order of Merit Work?

Every event on the schedule counts towards the OoM.

• Merit points are awarded on the basis of 100 to the winner of each event, 99 for 2nd place, 98 for third and so on.
• A competitor’s final OoM position is determined by the total merit points accumulated in his/her best five results throughout the season. Competitor’s can play in as few or as many events as they wish but it is only their best five results that count on the OoM so that no one can buy their way to the top of the table.
• Competitors must be a member of the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour to be eligible for merit points. The annual membership fee is £25 for 12 months from the date of joining.

What is a Volvo Championship Event?

Just like the professional tours the VMA Tour has it’s own equivalent of the majors and in 2008 there will be four Volvo Championship Events including, The Grove, Woodhall Spa (36 holes), Royal Birkdale and Sunningdale (36 holes).

The prizes will be upgraded on the Volvo Championship Events and the winner and runner up, plus the leading Volvo owner will automatically qualify for the VMA Tour UK Final.

How do I qualify for the VMA Tour UK Final?

The 2008 UK Final will be staged at Celtic Manor on the 12th and 13th October over 36 holes on the 2010 Ryder Cup Course and the following competitors will automatically qualify:

• The top 20 in the OoM after The Players Club
• The leading 2 ladies in the OoM after The Players Club
• The leading 4 Volvo owners in the OoM after The Players Club
• The winner & runner up in each of the 5 Championship Events
• The leading Volvo owner at each of the 5 Championship Events
• The winning aggregate score at the ¾ day events in Portugal, St Andrews & Cornwall

If any competitor qualifying under categories 2 - 6 above, finishes in the top 20 of the Volvo Order of Merit after The Players Club, then the next competitor on the Order of Merit will qualify for the UK Final.

Who organises the FORE Tour?

The GMM team is headed by David Hughes who is a former professional golfer and an ex PGA Tournament Director with responsibility for managing in excess of 70 professional tournaments throughout Europe. There is usually a minimum of two staff at each event with a wealth of experience and knowledge about golf and event management.