10th Annual Runaway Open

Registration is open for our 2025 outing for Phish fans!

Update Thurs 4/24: I've posted tentative pairings for the field of registered players. There are always a concellation or two, and/or a ghosting or two, so we're more than happy to have you register late and will find a space for you to play. At this stage, your tee time will be sometime between 8:10 and 9:50 - and either of those, if there is more than one of you. Also, all available rentals are spoken for, so hopefully you're either local with clubs or able to rent elsewhere (try Roger Dunn in North Hollywood).

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The 10th Annual Runaway Open will be in sunny Burbank, at the lush De Bell Golf Club just 8 miles from the Hollywood Bowl, where Phish will perform April 25-27.

You can feel good! — This year will be a straight tee timed tournament, rather than a shotgun structure, to give each player an option of how early or late they want to start! We'll have coffee at check-in, a pickup lunch at the turn, and a drink ticket per player, and good vibes all around. This is about swingin’ sticks with fellow phans for charity, so don’t sweat it if you’re rusty, new to the game, or prioritizing fun over competition. We are, too, no cap! So, don’t fret about format, skill, or handicap, unless you want to – this is all about fun, charity, Sand, Wedge, Dirt, Lawnboy…

Schwag & Prizes — Each player will receive a gift bag of limited-edition event items, as well as items contributed by sponsors. Pro shop credits (via an online option) will be awarded for longest drive, closest to hole, top three individual players, and top foursomes, as well as a special on-course lyrics riddle. (Check the sponsor signs - and see the 2023 example.) Each entry includes one ticket for a raffle (one per foursome; must be present to win), and we'll have a hole-in-one contest and one Backswing challenge.

Play Format — All Runaway Opens are a Modified Shamble: Everyone tees and then plays individually from the best first ball (not the best on each stroke) to the hole, and each foursome records the best two (2) scores per hole for the team total. That balances competitive play with a fun-focused day. We'll also offer limited mulligans and a hole-in-one contest, both options at check-in.

Early registration is strongly encouraged, and appreciated. Register by completing this form, where we're again offering earlybird registration (to March 15th), regular registration (thru April 14), and late registration for the final two weeks. That covers all cart, greens, and tournament fees; coffee, lunch, and a drink ticket; a gift bag of goodies available only to fully registered players; and a nominal charitable margin to support music education grants. (The event is priced tightly, to attract as many players as possible. Generosity above the requested donation, now or later, is immensely appreciated.) The sooner we reach our final number, the sooner we can lock down good schwag, fine sponsors, and other details for your joy and pleasure.

Sponsorships are welcomed in a variety of forms. All sponsors will be acknowledged in coming social media campaigns, before and after the event; thanked (by text and any provided logo) in event promotions at Mbird.org and Phish.net; and welcomed to establish a presence at the event, if they are able and inclined. We're open to any suggestions, but currently invite a sole underwriter of the event ($5,000?), sponsored foursomes with custom signage on a hole ($1500?), and of course any sponsor items to contribute to the players' gift ("schwag") bags.