Watts Cookin'
by Joe Watts
Joe Watts is the executive director of the Utah Golf Association

Fall - November - 05
Let's Increase Our Membership

This issue of Fairways magazine is being mailed to 40,000 golfers. Four times a year it is mailed to the 30,000 members of the Utah Golf Association, but this issue is also being mailed to 10,000 golfers on the Uinta Golf customer list that are not members of the UGA. We think those 10,000 golfers should join the Utah Golf Association for the following reasons.

For unselfish reasons. By joining the UGA they would strengthen golf programs in Utah, not only for themselves, but for everyone – they should join simply for the good of the game. They would be giving back to the game they love by supporting the organization that is the heart and soul of amateur golf programs in Utah. All golfers should appreciate the importance of the UGA to golf in Utah and realize that all golfers, including non-UGA members, are beneficiaries of UGA efforts to improve the game.

For selfish reasons. There are 2-for-1 golf discount benefits on the membership card of every UGA member. Those benefits are worth easily over $600 per year and a one-time use of the 2-for-1 benefit pays for the UGA membership. Why would anyone not belong? WOW – $25, $25 is all it costs for all those 2-for-1s. To get a USGA handicap. Everyone in golf should have a USGA handicap. They are required for most tournament events, but are also valuable for casual round golf with both acquaintances and strangers. They also provide a self-improvement standard.

While it is true that the UGA is the ONLY organization that provides USGA handicaps in Utah it is not true that providing handicaps is the ONLY service the UGA offers.

The UGA provides all members a paid subscription to Fairways magazine that is published four times a year. The magazine provides interesting and timely articles regarding all aspects of golf, and contains wonderful advertisements for special products, services, golf resorts, tournaments, not only in Utah, but throughout the country. It is an invaluable tool and the only way anyone can get the magazine is through membership in the UGA. If we had 40,000 members instead of 30,000 the magazine would be more efficient and cost effective and golf would be the beneficiary.

The UGA gives significant support to golf course owners, professionals, and superintendents.

The UGA gives significant support to golf programs for juniors, women, and seniors. The UGA provides competitive opportunities for all golfers, including managing the revered Utah State Amateur, the oldest continuously held tournament in the world.

The UGA, in conjunction with the USGA, funds visits to local golf courses from USGA experts to evaluate and make suggestions regarding turf grass problems.

The UGA is the caretaker of the Utah Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and is making an effort to collect and publish historical information about golf in Utah.

In 2006, the UGA will be giving special help to support the 100th Utah State Women’s Amateur Championship, being held at The Country Club.

In 2006 the UGA will be giving special help in hosting the Boys Junior Americas Cup in conjunction with the Ogden Golf and Country Club.

If the UGA had 40,000 members, instead of 30,000, everyone would receive more bang for their buck and Utah golf and its golfers would be the beneficiary.

Let’s all pitch in and encourage our friends who are not members to join the UGA in 2006. Let’s increase our membership by 25%. We will all be doing the game we love a big favor.