The difficulty in arranging mass matchplay could and i say could have been the straw that broke Paul (ton) s back. A lot sign up and you never hear from them again, so matches do not get completed, arguments start and someone had to decide who goes through. It happens a few times in World Cup but there are Captains and organisers to sort through that as its a club event. Someone not pulling weight then a sub is used for example.
Just an idea to alleviate that.....
1. A spokesman for a signed club creates a thread on their club forum explaining what is happening and spreading the good word of Dennis.
2. On a set date the said spokespersons from signed up clubs create a week long event called "Andyson Memorial Trophy". All clubs use the same chosen course and conditions.
3. Someone creates a thread on here so all the signed up clubs events can be hyperlinked onto it. Easiest way is for spokesman to play quickly, thread creator goes to their profile to get the link and edits it onto thread.
4. Banter can occur on the thread as the week long tourney goes on, anyone can be viewing each hyperlink, discuss it or someone can even do a ongoing progress league table.
5. If there are a lot of clubs in then the winner of each event, in each club goes on to a matchplay event. Say 32 clubs enter then of course you have 32 start the knockout phase.
6. If forums in clubs are decently ran then the winner will be under no illusion that he/she is going onto the matchplay section. If someone wins and he/she cant represent then it goes to who was second and so on.
That way you will have 100s upon 100s playing, yes some will play and not know what its really about but the majority will.......and whats important is that the winning representatives know what`s happening.
Sort of a two for one, you get the numbers, and you get the nulled down matchplay with no time wasters.
Just an idea
Good luck.