2026 Northward Ho! National Member-Guest
July 9th - 11th, 2026 Northland Country
Duluth, Minnesota
Invitation
On behalf of the Tournament Committee at Northland Country Club, you are cordially invited to play in the 2026 edition of Northward Ho!, to be held from July 9th through July 11th in Duluth, Minnesota!
Inside this booklet you will find pertinent information about the tournament format, schedule, and optional events.
We look forward to hosting everyone at Northland in July! Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Golf Professional Staff with any questions, comments, or concerns.
All the best,
Sam DuPont, PGA
Bill Kelly
Head Golf Professional Tournament Chairpersons Northland Country Club
Thank you to our Sponsor
Registration
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $1,200 + tax per team, and includes golf, food, tee gifts, prizes, and carts for the weekend.
Registration
Registration for the tournament will open on March 4th at 9:00 AM on ForeTees and will remain open until the field is full.
Field Size
The field will be comprised of 60 two-person teams.
Waitlist
Once the field is filled, members will be able to register on the waitlist via ForeTees.
Withdrawal Policy
The withdrawal deadline is June 3rd. Teams withdrawing after this date may be subject to forfeiture of their entry fee.
In the case of a withdrawal, the Northland Golf Professional Staff will reach out to the first person on the waitlist, who will then have 48 hours to confirm or decline their spot in the field.
Tournament Format
Handicaps
Each player must have an active GHIN Handicap. The event will utilize the 12-month low handicap for every player.
In accordance with USGA recommendations, each player will receive 90% of their handicap for round robin matches. Each team will receive 40% of their combined handicap for the Shootout.
Flights
The field will be divided into 10 flights of 6 teams based on each team’ s combined handicap index.
Round Robin Matches
Each team will play a 9-Hole Net Best Ball match against every other team in their flight, resulting in 5 matches total. Matches will be scored using the 10-point system, which is as follows:
1 point for each hole won 1/2 point for each hole tied
0 points for each hole lost
1 bonus point for a match won
1/2 bonus point for a match tied
0 bonus points for a match lost
Flight Champions
After all 5 matches, the team with the most points in their flight will be Flight Champions. In the event of a tie for Flight Champion, the first tiebreaker is the result of the head-to-head match. If the match was tied, a chip-off will determine the Flight Champion.
Tournament Format Cont.
Wild Card Teams
The team that wins the most points in Saturday’s matches without winning their flight will be one Wild Card Team.
The team that wins the most points in all 5 matches without winning their flight will be the other Wild Card Team.
In the event of a tie for the Wild Card Teams, the first tiebreaker is the result of a head-to-head match. If the match was tied or not played, a chip-off will determine the Wild Card Teams.
Updated Shootout Format
The 8 Flight Champions and the 2 Wild Card Teams will advance to the Shootout. The Shootout format will be Net Select-Drive Alternate Shot.
The Shootout will begin on Hole 1 with all groups going together in one large group. Each hole the highest two scores will be eliminated. We will play holes 1,2,16,17,18. In the event of a tie for highest score, a chipoff will determine which team is eliminated.
The final 2 teams will play Hole 18, and the lowest score on the hole will be the Northward Ho! Champion. In the case of a tie, the teams will repeat playing Hole 18 until a winner is determined.
Tournament Schedule
Thursday, July 9th - Optional Practice Round
Lunch available beginning at 11:00 AM
The Practice Round will be a 1:00 PM Shotgun Start
Stag Dinner begins at 6:00 PM in the Ballroom
Discussion of Teams at 8:00 PM in the JR Link Grill
Friday, July 10th - First Tournament Day
Three Matches - Shotgun Starts at 8:30 AM, 11:45 AM, and 2:45 PM
Breakfast Buffet available from 7:00 to 8:30 AM in the Fireside Room
Lunch available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the 1st and 10th Tees
Northward Ho! Happy Hour presented by The North Magazine, Range Rover, Bell Bank, Small Lots Wine & Lost Woods from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Ballroom.
Dinner also begins at 5:30 pm
Saturday, July 11th - Final Tournament Day
Two Matches - Shotgun Starts at 8:30 AM and 11:45 AM
The Shootout begins at approximately 3:00 PM
Breakfast Buffet available from 7:00 to 8:30 AM in the Fireside Room
Lunch available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the 1st and 10th Tees
Optional Events
Players Pool
Entry is $400 per team
Payout is based on Shootout results
All teams who wish to buy themselves must pay the Golf Professional Staff prior to 7:00 PM on Thursday Evening
Practice Round
$100 per team Net Best Ball
$40 per player Skins (Net & Gross) and Field Events
First Tournament Day
$20 per player for Field Events in Matches 1 & 2
Final Tournament Day
$20 per player for Field Events
$40 per team Dog Flight - most points on Saturday only
Past Champions
