About
Origin
Two friends, Palm Desert, 2016.
The GRC started as an idea between two friends in 2016, leaving a three-day Ryder Cup style event in Palm Desert. The competitiveness, camaraderie and drama of a three-day team match play setup could not be outdone — so they built their own.
The name and the bear come from Auburn, California, a small town in Northern California Gold Country where the vast majority of the original field grew up. Most now live in San Diego, with friends spanning the state.
2020 was the first official Cup, played at the La Quinta Dunes course and PGA West. Sixteen players. By the seventh Cup the field had reached fifty-six, and the eighth is full at seventy-two.
Since then it has returned to PGA West and added Desert Willow, SilverRock, Escena, Wolf Creek, Conestoga, We-Ko-Pa and TPC Scottsdale. In March 2027 it goes to Pinehurst.
Your team name and year of title, engraved on the Cup. The only prize that matters
Format
Three days, three formats, all match play.
The field splits into three teams under three captains. Two-man teams, match play throughout. Seventy-two points are in play across the three days — an even three-way split is twenty-four apiece, and 24½ takes the Cup.
Handicaps are submitted and set for all players, subject to daily adjustment where actual play diverges too far from the handicap. Daily pairings are chosen each night by the team captains and the Commish.
In the event of a tie, a nine-hole playoff — at Pinehurst, on The Cradle if the resort allows, otherwise a nine-hole putt-off on the practice green.
Also on the card
Every player
Tee prizes & SWAG
Tournament apparel and headcovers for the whole field, produced fresh each year.
Included in entry
Every round
CTP challenges
Closest-to-pin contests across all three days, with prizes on the line.
Included in entry
Thursday night
Charity raffle
The Folds of Honor raffle — every player entered, brand product on the table.
Included in entry