The Rooster is one of the most exclusive golf tournaments in the United States. Invitations are extended annually to 10-14 individuals based on the following criteria:
Character
Contribution to society
Personal recommendation from one of the founding members
General rules of golf apply.[1] However, there are some special rules:
John Slegg Rule: No calling significant other more than 4 times a day.
The Rick Scouffas Rule: Tee shots that don't make it past the red lady tees must play their next shot with their shorts around their ankles[2]
The Pants Down Raffle:
Each player buys in $20 beginning of the week to guess the total number of Pants Down Thurs-Sat
Closest number takes all
If a player refuses the penalty, he throws in an extra $5 and a penalty shot
If a playing partner fails to enforce a pants down, he throws in an extra $5 and a penalty shot
The John Self Wears Crazy Hats Rule: The team that comes in last place in the Friday PM round will have to wear the "hats of shame" while playing the Rooster round. The Hats will be worn on all par 3 and Par 5 tee shots and shots using a putting on those holes. Each violation of the rule will result in a warm vodka shot taken by each player for each infraction.[3]
The Champion Photoshoot: One month before the date of The Rooster, the reigning champion will submit a black and white studio photo taken with the trophy.
The "Adam King" Rule:
Instituted in 2012, this landmark ruling removes first time player's eligibility to win the Rooster.
This all stemmed from the previous summer when, in the words of the Founding Fathers, then rookie Adam King "showed up in Monterey and 'Rory McIlroyed' us."
While the original intent was noble - it discouraged "hitting and quitting" the Rooster (see Duron) - the idea didn't keep up with the times. Multiple PGA winners have turned down Rooster invitation so long as this rule stands.
In 2015, rookie Gerald Yeung contested the ruling, citing the dominant freshmen class of that year's Duke's basketball team, and the gruesome abuse he would surely receive over the weekend - no less because he would leave early to attend the Taylor Swift 1989 tour - should earn him a shot at the title. With the backing of esteemed members in Shooter and Dent, the Adam King rule was overturned. Yeung would finish 2nd that year anyway behind Adam King.
In March 2024, ahead of Rooster debuts for Doug and Jardine, defending champion Rick Scoffas published an opinion to reinstate the rule. Curious timing. In an ultimate twist of irony, he received backing from Adam King, who was crowned in his rookie campaign. Despite the staunch defense of Gerald Yeung, the "Rooster Core 4" - by the vote of 3-to-1 - restored this rule. Yeung put up a valiant yet unsuccessful appeal, costing him 2 shots.
Winning his record-tying 3rd Rooster, Rick took the trophy for engraving. Wanting to rectify the egregious and selfish act from Michael the previous year (see image), the engraver decided to replace with a new plate at his own expense. In the process, he misspelled Shooter's name "McGown".
The McGown GateThe wrong font Michael used that led to McGown Gate
Sleeping Beauty (2023)
Rick went to bed at 7:30pm night prior to the Rooster. Despite being subjected to a litany of penalties the day after, he overcame all that was thrown at him and won the Rooster by 7 strokes.
Epic Meltdown (2023)
After lighting it up at Cross Creek for a round of 81 using a new swing he perfected solely by watching Instagram videos, Michael shot 108, 98 and 97 to round out the weekend.
The Layup (2022)
Standing on the tee of the reachable par 5 18th trailing the leader by 1, Rick inexplicably pulled out his 3 wood. With the laser focus of a watchmaker, he topped his drive into the fescue short of the red tee. Lost ball. "I worried about the water", he explained, pulling his pants back up. Too preoccupied with water 280 yards away, he neglected the danger 30 yards right before him. Never again could Rick lay eyes on his 3 wood without the haunting memory of a record-tying third Rooster slip away.
Never go to bed at 8pm before the RoosterGrass Angel (2022)
After going to bed at 8pm on Friday night, Gerald Yeung was subjected to heavy punishment before and during Rooster round. The first dose actually improved his game, but the second round saw his wheels come off. On 17th hole, after smoking a 4-iron 196yard onto the green, he collapsed on the fairway in the form of a sand angel. He will go on to 2-putt and par the hole.
Hardknocks (2022)
Shooter stayed up in the living room watching episodes after episodes of Hard Knocks Detroit Lion, much to the chagrin of Michael who was sleeping on the couch.
Forgetting the Hat (2021)
King forgot to wear the hat on par3 #3. He came to the realization 4 shots later, and subjected himself to a 4-whiskey shot penalty. His Rooster chances - gone.
Cock Down (2021)
Cock DownJohn Slegg, a water bottle damaged the trophy cock on his way to Thursday round. Did not tell the group until Saturday trophy presentation.
The Shot (2021)The Shot (2021)
After reloading at Caddyshack, Michael unleashed a drive that traveled two inches forward, and 3 inches into the ground. It will be come one of the most iconic shots of the championship's illustrious history.
Jackpot dice (2019)
Another Rooster, another disappointing performance from Rick. He lost all his bets to Michael, thanks to some subpar play all four rounds spraying his drives all over. But on the final night, he upon a massive dice game and came away winning 300 bucks in one fell swoop. There is a god after all.
Grandstand Finish (2019)
In the final group facing an impossible 440 yard par 4 with water, Gerald hit to great shots and landed 5 yards off the green. He faced a 20-yard, hard break, downhill chip that slopes to the water. Adding to the challenge was the heckling and betting from the previous 2 groups gathered by greenside, a Rooster tradition. There was lots of money either side on whether he would get up-and-down.
On his 3rd shot, Gerald chunked his chip and didn't even reach the green. Then, history. A double-breaker that swung right to left 15 feet On its last roll, it kissed one of the 3 bottles of Jack guarding the cup and dropped.
He would later tell the group - sincerely - that it was the greatest sporting moment of his life. He won the Best Shot that Rooster.
Gone Boy (2019)
On the third hole of Rooster, Bags disappeared. His playing partners formed a search party that extended to other groups. Bags would show up 40minutes later, holding the wedges he had forgotten on previous holes.
"A TEN?!!" (2017)
Another Scoffas epic meltdown. Playing in the final group on the par-5 18 at Poppy Hills, Rick tried and repeatedly failed to advance his ball in the tall fescue, the only defense on an otherwise easy hole. When he finally emerged on the green to a full gallery, Michael - his partner - asked, "what do you lie?" "Ten," Rick mumbled, his tone conveyed exhaustion and shame. "A TEN?!!" Rick went on to blade a green side flop shot across the green and back into the trap.
Knock Knock (2017)
Slegg had to arrive late on a Saturday night with his customary family excuses. The Englishman stumbled into the wrong cabin in Carmel in the door to a roomful of sleeping children. Thankfully, no children were scared in the process.
Wrong Ball (2015)
Jason Dent hit the wrong ball off the fairway and kissed his chances of a Rooster goodbye.
Rick Scouffas
Gerald Yeung
John Slegg
