2026 Vortex Open (Columbus)
The Vortex Open
Presented by Tommy Tornado Golf Co.
A high-stakes, 36-hole major using the official **GHIN Adjusted Starting Score System**. Low handicap Sean Wright (10.2) sets the baseline at Even Par—every other player starts under par based on their stroke margin.
The Vortex Open Leaderboard
Total Score = Starting Score + Round 1 Gross + Round 2 Gross • Par 72
| Pos | Player | Start | R1 Gross | R2 Gross | Thru | Total Score | Card |
|---|
Sean Wright
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 |
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 |
Organizer Live Score Entry
Select a player and round to enter strokes hole-by-hole, or quickly punch in 9-hole/18-hole totals on the fly from the course.
Round 1 Pairings & Tee Times
Saturday, Oct 31 • Airport Golf Course • Random Draw
9:00 AM Tee Time
Sean Wright
HCP 10.2 • Field Baseline
Ryan Moran
HCP 20.7
Matthew Winner
HCP 26.5
Steve Sunseri
HCP 24.0
9:10 AM Tee Time
Howard Saur
HCP 16.2
Nick Height
HCP 19.2
John Clinton
HCP 25.2
Tom Murin
HCP 26.8 • Organizer
9:20 AM Tee Time
Chris Schuler
HCP 13.5
Jeremy Duncan
HCP 18.8
David Stephens
HCP 25.6
Dave Skerl
HCP 31.2
Official Starting Scores
Calculated vs. Field Low: Sean Wright (10.2 GHIN)
| Player | GHIN Index | Diff vs Baseline | 36-Hole Starting Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Wright Baseline | 10.2 | 0.0 | Even (E) |
| Chris Schuler | 13.5 | +3.3 | -7 |
| Howard Saur | 16.2 | +6.0 | -12 |
| Jeremy Duncan | 18.8 | +8.6 | -17 |
| Nick Height | 19.2 | +9.0 | -18 |
| Ryan Moran | 20.7 | +10.5 | -21 |
| John Clinton | 25.2 | +15.0 | -30 |
| David Stephens | 25.6 | +15.4 | -31 |
| Matthew Winner | 26.5 | +16.3 | -33 |
| Dave Skerl | 31.2 | +21.0 | -42 |
| Steve Sunseri | 24.0 | — | Non-Competing Marker |
| Tom Murin | 26.8 | — | Non-Competing Marker / Organizer |
Vortex Handicap & Starting Score Calculator
Test handicap variations or calculate what-if scenarios against the field baseline.
Tournament Guidelines & Rules
Tap each section below to inspect the tournament operations and starting formulas.
Rather than calculating net scores after 18 holes, all handicap adjustments are applied directly onto the leaderboard before Round 1 starts.
- Lowest Field GHIN: Begins at Even Par (E).
- All Other Participants: Start at - (Difference × 2) under par.
- In-Play Scoring: During each round, players write down and compete using their actual gross strokes. The leaderboard reflects both your starting advantage and round gross scores.
Field Baseline: The lowest registered player has a 10 GHIN Handicap. They tee off on Hole 1 at Even Par (E).
Player B: Holds an 18 GHIN Handicap.
2-Round Total = 8 strokes × 2 rounds = 16 strokes
Starting Score = -16 (16 Under Par)
Player B enters hole 1 of Round 1 at 16 under par, ensuring an equitable playing field across both days.
9:00 AM Tee Times (Random Draw)
9:00 AM Tee Times (Ranked Flights)
Official flight pairings and individual tee times will be posted and distributed to players prior to each round.
To ensure fair competition, smooth pace of play, and consistent scoring, the following official tournament rules are in effect for both rounds:
Breakfast Ball Rule
- Each player is allowed one (1) breakfast ball on the first tee shot of Hole 1 only.
- No other mulligans are permitted at any other point during the round.
Lift, Clean, and PLACE Rule
Casual play rule is actively in effect throughout the tournament course:
- Players may improve their lie by lifting, cleaning, and placing the ball within ONE (1) club length (or fluffing/improving lie).
- Grass Type Changes Allowed: You may move from rough to fairway if within 1 club length.
- Bunker Exception: If your ball is in a sand bunker, it must remain in the bunker. However, you may rake the bunker first and place the ball cleanly.
- No Closer to the Hole: Placements may never move closer to the pin.
- Penalties: If your ball goes OB or into unplayable water, you may still utilize the 1-club-length rule from your relief point, but you must assess a 1-stroke penalty.
“White Stakes as Red” Local Rule (OB Relief)
Eases the severe penalty and pace-of-play delays associated with out-of-bounds:
- You do not have to walk back to replay the shot from the original spot.
- Drop near the point where the ball crossed out of bounds (within 2 club lengths, no closer to the hole).
- You still assess a 1-stroke penalty.
- Critical Exception: The 1-club-length lie improvement rule DOES NOT apply while OB. If your ball is less than a club length across the boundary line, it is still OB and assesses the 1-stroke penalty drop.
“No Gimmies” – Putt Everything Out
There are NO gimmies under any circumstances. Every single putt must be holed and strictly putted out to count toward your official gross scorecard.
Conduct & Spirit of Play
This tournament is competitive but friendly! Good sportsmanship, integrity, and mutual respect are expected from all participants. Any rules questions or disputes will be resolved by the tournament director (Tommy Murin). Let’s keep it fun, fair, and competitive for everyone!
$100 Prize Pool
10 competing players × $10 entry fee (100% payout to top finishers).
1st Place • Champion (70%)
The Vortex Open Champion trophy rights and $70 cash payout.
2nd Place • Runner-Up (30%)
Cash prize payout of $30 for second place across 36 holes.
Note: Regular course green and cart fees are paid directly to Airport Golf Course at check-in. The $10 tournament entry fee can be collected upon check-in on Saturday morning.
Registration Closed & Field Locked
The 10-player championship field and markers are locked. Please reach out to Tommy Murin below with any last-minute questions.
Tournament Director
Thomas Murin • Tommy Tornado Golf Co.
thomasmurin@tommytornadogolf.com
Shopify Implementation Tip
To place this directly on your Shopify store: Create a new Page (e.g. /pages/vortex-open) in Shopify Admin → Online Store → Pages, click the <> Show HTML toggle, and paste this code, or add it inside a Custom Liquid section within your Shopify Theme Editor.