A Masters Pool Unlike Any Other

There are Masters pools, and then there is the M4Max Challenge. What began as a simple office pool among buddies now draws thousands of participants from sea to shining sea. With payouts that would make a Saudi prince blush, and prizes as unusual and diverse as my swing flaws, the M4Max Challenge makes the best week in golf even better – all while making a tremendous positive impact.

How it Works

Once tournament registration opens here on April 7^th, you simply pick a team of four players from four different categories and pay your entry fee. 1/3 of the team entry fees is directed to our designated charity, Camp Ho Mita Koda, and 2/3 of team entry fees is used for a wide variety of payouts, including a 1^st place prize that will likely exceed $20,000. In 2024, we collected $191k in entry fees and awarded nearly $130,000 in prizes.

There are many ways to win, including daily winners, a “Best Comeback” prize for the teams that perform best on the weekend, and even the coveted “Hindenburg” prize for the participant who performs the worst. Of course, we’ll also hold a variety of goofy meme and social media contests, so make sure you’re following our official Instagram @M4Max2025.

2025 Entry Fees

• Purchase 1 team for $25, 2 teams for $40, or 4 teams for $65
• $10 to enter a separate “Hindenburg” Pool rewarding the highest aggregate team score
• $10 to enter a separate pool ONLY for long-time M4Max participants (those who have played M4Max for 10+ years)

It sounds easy, right? Well, just know that at some point you may find yourself cursing at least one player from your team who putts like he’s holding a venomous snake and crushes your shot at M4Max glory. And if that’s the case, and you end up tied for 6,438^th place, just know that A) my team will almost certainly be faring worse, and B) your participation means you’ve done a very good thing.

Annual Funds Given to Camp Ho Mita Koda (CHMK) via the M4Max Challenge

The M4Max Challenge is now the largest annual fundraiser for Camp Ho Mita Koda, a special summer camp for kids with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Thanks to your generosity, we’ve now raised $825,235 in lifetime donations and have given over a thousand kids an unforgettable experience. This April, with your support, we’ll break the $1 million milestone. Let’s gooo!

Tips for the Rookies

• If you’re a M4Max newbie, take heed: there will be thousands of entries, so try to avoid picking the same popular players as everyone else. Just don’t pick Sandy Lyle, unless you’re a fan of players who shoot 85 and higher – or are deliberately trying to tank your team. Speaking of…
• Some people just like to watch the world burn, and in the past, a few M4Max participants would deliberately attempt to pick a terrible team in the hopes of winning the coveted (and quite lucrative) “DFL” prize. It became so popular we created another category, the “Hindenburg Bracket”, for those hoping to be the best at picking the worst teams. Caveat emptor: picking a team of hot garbage is harder than it appears. Just when you think Freddy Couples, aka the Silver Fox, is finally going to lose his magic touch, he’ll turn back the clock, ruin your M4Max chances, and run off with your wife.
• If you’re unsure who to pick, choose Patrick Reed. After all, who doesn’t love Patrick Reed.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Why is it called “M4Max?”

I originally named this Masters pool the “Masters for Max Challenge” as a way to help kids diagnosed with an incurable, lifelong disease, like my son Max. Eventually it became “M4Max” for short (and also, because I was afraid if I overused “Masters” there might come a day I’d find a horse head in my bed courtesy of Augusta National Chairman, Fred Ridley).

Why did you choose to donate to a summer camp?

When I began using this Masters pool to raise funds to help kids with Type 1 Diabetes, I wanted the money to make a tangible impact. And that’s when I found Camp Ho Mita Koda, the first and oldest summer camp for kids with T1D.

Many kids with T1D struggle with self-esteem issues. Many don’t fully understand how to manage their T1D. Many struggle to fit in and get exhausted with the 24/7/365 nature of the disease. Camp Ho Mita Koda allows kids to have good old fashioned summer camp fun in a community of their peers. Through CHMK, hundreds of kids grow in mind, body and spirit, and for many, the experience is life-changing.