January 14 – 16, 2027
The Kumite
The world’s only indoor golf tournament under one roof.
Hosted by The Sanctuary Golf & Social in Brentwood, TN
$20,000
Total purse
100%
Of entry fees paid out
80
Players in the field
The Tournament
How it works
Format
18 Hole Stroke Play Qualifying for Seeding. Match Play till a Champion is Crowned. $250/p entry fee.
Who Can Play?
80 Players. Open to Professionals and Elite Amateurs.
How?
With TrackMan technology. The Sanctuary is outfitted with 8 custom suites for tournament play.
The Purse
What’s on the line
- ChampionPlus the coveted Katana Sword$8,000
- Finals$3,000
- Round of 4$1,500
- Round of 8$750
- Round of 16$250
- Stroke Play Medal$1,000
Based on a full field of 80 players at $250 entry. 100% of all entry fees get paid out — and the Champion collects the coveted Katana Sword.
The Sword
Names already engraved
2026
Connor Gaunt
2025
Austin Gean
2024
Josh Jackson
2023
Nolan Ray
2022
Michael Shinn
Three Days
The full schedule
Thursday
January 14
2:00 – 5:00 PM
Pro-Am
Three amateurs + one professional. Additional entry: $1,250/team. Open bar and complimentary food for Pro-Am participants.
5:00 PM
Welcome Party
Long drive and closest-to-pin contests. Discounted food and beverage available to participants.
5:00 – 9:00 PM
Practice Rounds
Sessions arranged through the Pro Shop.
Friday
January 15
8:00 AM
Stroke Play Qualifying
10:30 AM
Stroke Play Qualifying
1:00 PM
Stroke Play Qualifying
3:30 PM
Stroke Play Qualifying
6:00 PM
Stroke Play Qualifying
18-hole stroke play qualifying in groups of 2. Players may request a window, though no guarantees of a specific one will be made.
Saturday
January 16
8:00 AM
Play-In Round
25th – 40th place. 9-hole matches.
9:30 AM
Round of 32 — Session 1
9-hole matches.
11:00 AM
Round of 32 — Session 2
9-hole matches.
1:00 PM
Round of 16
3:00 PM
Round of 8
5:00 PM
Semi Finals
7:00 PM
Finals
The top 24 qualifying scores automatically advance. 25th – 40th place will make the play-in round to make the round of 32. Times are estimates only.
The Pro-Am
$1,250 per team of three, paired with a professional. Nine holes, food and open bar included. The top two teams take home cash prizes.
Enter a TeamSponsorships
Put your brand in front of the field — in-suite gameplay branding, marketing placement, and on-site signage across all three days.
View PackagesThe Venue
The Sanctuary Golf & Social
Home to eight (8) TrackMan equipped suites, community room, full restaurant and bar.
Brentwood, TN
Details
Frequently asked
Who can play?
The Kumite is catered to professional golfers. Past participants include Korn Ferry Tour members, mini-tour players, and amateurs who are past USGA Champions.
Professionals — Full or temporary status on major professional golf tours; State Open Champion (past 10 years); US Open or Senior Open Qualifier (past 10 years).
Amateurs — GHIN Handicap of 1 or better; USGA event qualifier (past 10 years); state championship champion or runner-up (past 10 years). Prizes for amateurs will be awarded in accordance within USGA Rules on Amateur Status.
What is the expected payout?
Based on a full field of 80 participants and an entry fee of $250, each player advancing to the round of 16 in match play will be awarded a cash prize.
The Champion will collect the coveted Katana Sword. Most importantly, 100% of all entry fees get PAID OUT.
What is the Pro-Am?
The Pro-Am entry fee is $1,250/team of 3 participants and includes 9 holes of golf, food and open bar for your team. Each team is paired up with a professional to round out the foursome. Teams are welcome to bring their own professional, or be randomly paired with one. The top 2 teams will be awarded cash prizes.
Rules of play
If you've never played on a simulator, read this. Courses will be selected at random the morning of each round. Putting will be automatic “gimmes” at a 10' circle. Auto two-putts from 10'–65'. Auto three-putts at 65'+ circles. Tees will be at/around 7,000 yards. Green speeds, winds, and other variables will be at the discretion of tournament organizers.
Why Kumite?
While the competition is serious, this is about having fun. Named after the 1988 film Bloodsport — a martial arts action film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Frank Dux, an American soldier trained in ninjutsu. The movie is inspired by real-life events (though widely debated) and centers on Frank's participation in a secret, underground fighting tournament called the “Kumite,” held in Hong Kong.
What is the cancellation policy?
November 30, 2026 or earlier — $50 administrative fee.
December 1 – 31, 2026 — $125 administrative fee.
After December 31, 2026 — no refunds.
Have more questions?
Reach out to Scott Tomasello at stomasello@thesanctuary.club.
Stay Close
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Field announcements, tee times, and registration reminders — straight to your inbox.
Questions? Scott Tomasello · 615-669-4502 · stomasello@thesanctuary.club