What Is the AMO Cup — and Why You Should Care
Most golf tournaments follow the same formula.
Scramble. Shotgun start. Lunch. Prizes. Repeat.
There's nothing wrong with that. But if you've played enough of them, you know the feeling: the format doesn't really test you. In a scramble, one good player can carry the whole team. The pressure is low, the strategy is minimal, and the result rarely reflects how well you actually played.
The 2027 AMO Cup is built on a different philosophy.
What Is the AMO Cup?
The AMO Cup is a 2-player team tournament hosted by The Kilted Golf Company — the first of its kind in the Carolinas. It features separate men's and women's divisions, and it's structured around three 6-hole formats that spell out the letters A, M, and O. AMO is the Scott Clan Motto which translates to "I love" perfect for the game we all love to hate - golf!
Each format tests a different dimension of your game and your partnership. Together, they create an 18-hole experience that rewards versatility, strategy, and composure under pressure.
Date and host venue are to be confirmed — but if you want to be part of the inaugural event, now is the time to get familiar with what's coming.
The Three Formats Explained
A — Shamble (Holes 1–6)
The Shamble is the most accessible of the three formats, but don't mistake accessible for easy.
Here's how it works: both players tee off on every hole. The team selects the best drive. From that spot, each player plays their own ball into the hole. The better of the two scores counts.
What makes the Shamble special is that it fixes the biggest complaint about the traditional scramble: in a scramble, a weak tee shot doesn't matter because your partner might hit a great one. In a Shamble, both players play their own ball after the drive. You can't hide.
This format rewards consistent ball strikers and rewards teams where both players contribute — not just the longer hitter.
Strategy tip: In a Shamble, the drive selection matters more than you think. Sometimes the shorter drive in a better position is smarter than the longer drive in the rough. Talk to your partner before you pick.
M — Greensomes (Holes 7–12)
Greensomes is where the tournament gets strategic.
Both players tee off. The team selects the best drive. Then the players alternate shots from that point until the ball is holed — the player whose drive was NOT selected hits the second shot.
This is the format that splits the difference between a scramble and alternate shot. It's faster than full alternate shot because you always get to pick the better drive. But it's more demanding than a scramble because you're committed to alternating from there.
The key challenge: you need to know your partner's game. If your partner hits a great drive but struggles with long irons, you might want to pick your own drive even if it's shorter — because you'll be hitting the approach.
Strategy tip: Before the round, talk through your respective strengths. Who's better from the rough? Who's more reliable with mid-irons? Greensomes rewards teams who know each other's games.
O — Gruesomes (Holes 13–18)
This is where the AMO Cup earns its reputation.
Gruesomes is the evil twin of Greensomes. The setup is identical: both players tee off. But instead of your team picking the best drive, the opposing team picks which of your drives you play — and they're going to pick the worst one.
The player whose drive was NOT chosen hits the second shot. Alternate shot from there.
This format is a genuine test of character. You will be put in bad positions. You will face difficult shots from places you didn't choose. The question is: can you recover? Can you stay composed when the game is working against you?
That's the spirit of Scottish golf — and it's the spirit of the AMO Cup.
Strategy tip: In Gruesomes, your tee shot strategy changes completely. Both players need to keep the ball in play, because the opposing team will always choose the more difficult position. Accuracy off the tee is more valuable than distance.
Why This Format Matters
The AMO Cup isn't just a fun variation on the standard tournament format. It's a deliberate design choice rooted in the values of Scottish golf.
Scottish golf has always been about adaptability. The links courses of Scotland don't give you perfect lies or predictable conditions. They test your ability to manufacture shots, to think under pressure, and to perform when things aren't going your way.
The three AMO formats do the same thing. The Shamble tests your individual ball striking. Greensomes tests your partnership strategy. Gruesomes tests your composure when the game is stacked against you.
Together, they create a complete picture of what kind of golfer — and what kind of partner — you really are.
Who Should Play?
The AMO Cup is designed for golfers of all skill levels. You don't need to be a scratch player to compete and enjoy the experience.
What you do need is a partner you trust, a willingness to embrace the challenge, and a sense of humor for the Gruesomes holes.
Men's and women's divisions will both be featured, making this a genuinely inclusive event. Whether you're a competitive golfer looking for a real test or a recreational player who wants something more engaging than a standard scramble, the AMO Cup has a place for you.
The Kilted Golf Company's Vision for the AMO Cup
When I founded The Kilted Golf Company, I wanted to bring something to the Carolinas that didn't exist here: a genuine connection to the traditions and spirit of Scottish golf.
The AMO Cup is the most direct expression of that vision. It's not just a tournament — it's an experience designed to make you think differently about the game, to challenge you in ways a standard event won't, and to create the kind of memories that come from real competition.
The inaugural AMO Cup in 2027 will be the first of many. We're building something here, and we want you to be part of it from the beginning.
Date and venue are to be confirmed. Stay tuned for updates.