TOURNAMEnt
The 2026 Oak Tree Classic, Viva Las Birdies, is a net-only tournament. Each day there will be a different format and the teams with the lowest net scores in each flight, as well as the Overall Net Winner, will qualify to be crowned the champion of the Royal Flush Finale.
Day 1: Partner Best Ball
Both partners complete each hole with their own ball. Handicap strokes are applied to determine each player's net score. The team's score on each hole is the lower of the two net scores. The team with the lowest total net score for the round wins. Each player's round will be posted by the NRCC Pro Shop to GHIN.
Day 2: Shamble
Both team members hit a tee shot on each hole. The team chooses the preferred drive, and both players play their own ball from that spot for the remainder of the hole. Each player records an individual score. The team's score is the lower of the two net scores on each hole. This round is not a postable round to GHIN.
Championship Derby: "Royal Flush Finale"
The top two net teams for each flight qualify to compete in the Championship Derby, otherwise known as the Royal Flush Finale!
Who qualifies?
- Overall Low Net team
- 1st and 2nd-place Net teams for each flight
Elimination Rounds:
- Round 1: Alternate Shot on Oaks 9 (played from the V tees)
- Round 2: Alternate Shot on Oaks 9 (teed up from 175 yards)
- Final Round: Alternate Shot on Oaks 9 (teed up from 125 yards)
*With the exception of the final round, a chip-off will be utilized to break ties.
Tournament Handicaps
Individual Handicaps will be established based on the player's low index as of October 5, 2026.
Handicap Differentials
A maximum handicap differential of ten is in effect for the 2026 Oak Tree Classic. When a handicap differential between partners is greater than ten strokes, the player with the higher handicap will be reduced to ten strokes more than their partner.
All Playing Handicaps will be capped at 36 for this event.