Local Knowledge

2024 WHS™ QUICK REFERENCE PLACEMAT FOR GOLF CLUB ADMINISTRATORS

The USGA and The R&A announced key changes to the World Handicap System (WHS) that will go into effect within the United States on January 16, 2024. The 2024 WHS Quick Reference Placemat resource is designed specifically for your staff and Handicap Committee to help address the questions you will most likely receive from your members and guests.

Among the topics covered in the placemat include new treatment of 9-hole scores, new treatment for holes not played, and scores made at shorter length courses. There is also a date-specific section for January 16 considerations that covers any player(s) with an uncombined 9-hole score in their scoring record as of January 16, and for clubs conducting a competition on January 16.

The USGA Handicap Committee Guide is now included within the digital version of the Rules of Handicapping (Section 6), which will be updated on January 16 to reflect the 2024 changes.

To download a printable version of the 2024 WHS Quick Reference Placemat, click here.

TEXAS LEAGUE PLAY: TEAM GOLF EXCITEMENT FOR TGA MEMBER CLUBS

Texas League Play was created in 2006 to provide an opportunity for TGA Member Clubs to play against each other in a team match-play format. Held during the springtime, these organized interclub matches, which utilize GHIN® handicaps, promote friendly competition and camaraderie in a fun atmosphere.

Eligibility in Texas League Play is open to all Member Clubs, both public and private, that own/operate at least one 18-hole regulation length golf course with a current and valid USGA Course/Slope Rating. To make scheduling easier and to reduce travel time, regional conferences are established anywhere in the state where there are four Member Clubs who are interested in competing against each other in a six-match regular season.

The team roster is open to male amateur golfers aged 21 and older that are full dues paying members of the club and maintain an active GHIN handicap. PGA Professionals who are full-time employees of the club are also encouraged to participate. Eight players are needed for each match, but there is no limit to how many players a club can have on its team roster.

A team match consists of four (4), four-ball matches: one (1) scratch and three (3) by handicap indexes arranged from low to high. Within each of the four-ball matches that make up one team match, there is one point awarded for winning the front nine, one for the back nine and one for the overall 18-hole match. A total of 12 points are available within each team match; at least 6.5 points are needed for a team victory.

Following the regular season, which runs from March 6-May 12, regional conference winners earn a spot to compete for the statewide title in the Championship Playoffs, a thrilling single-elimination bracket tournament to be held May 30-June 2 at Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club in San Antonio.

For more information about 2024 Texas League Play and online registration, click here.

MAKE GOLF YOUR THING UNVEILS IMPACT ON ADVANCING INCLUSIVITY

Make Golf Your Thing, the collaborative movement reflecting the industry’s commitment to making the sport more diverse and welcoming, has released an update as it prepares to enter its fourth year. Highlights include investment of more than $1.8 million in 237 grassroots programs and steady growth in career and business opportunities for diverse candidates.

Led by PGA of America, PGA TOUR, LPGA and USGA and with financial support and participation from some of the leading corporations in golf, Make Golf Your Thing began taking shape in late 2020. Unlike anything done before in any sport, the collaborative, breakthrough movement is uniting allies across golf in support of a more inclusive game and industry, proactively welcoming people from historically underrepresented communities in the sport to make golf their game, their career, and their business.

Through Make Golf Your Game, players of all backgrounds, identities and abilities are encouraged to make golf their own. To date, the movement has invested in more than 155 unique organizations that are dedicated to increasing participation among people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, Veterans, and those with disabilities. Approximately 88 percent of adults and children reached through these programs are ethnically diverse, while 51 percent are female, and 80 percent are under the age of 18. Fifteen organizations have received the maximum grant possible, reporting an average of 21 percent growth in participants since 2021.

To read more about the Make Golf Your Thing impact update, click here.

BENEFITS OF CREATING AN ANNUAL EVENTS CALENDAR [CMAA]

One of the biggest benefits of having an annual events calendar is the elimination of scheduling conflicts. By meticulously planning and scheduling events ahead of time, you can ensure that there are no overlaps with significant club activities such as golf tournaments and weddings. This foresight prevents logistical headaches and guarantees the availability of staff and resources when needed.

Moreover, an annual calendar allows for better coordination and communication among various departments within the club. “Communication is the most important part of working together as a business in the club,” said Jamie Roberts, Member Experience Manager at Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill, Mass. The events calendar serves as a central reference point accessible to both corporate and club personnel. This means that everyone involved, from the banquet team to the marketing team, can stay informed about upcoming events, ensuring seamless execution and marketing efforts.

In a feature article for Club Management Association of America’s digital magazine, author Jennifer McNally takes a closer look at the steps involved in creating an annual events calendar that enhances the member experience and fosters a sense of community.

To read more about the Benefits of Creating an Annual Events Calendar, click here.