Fairways • Winter 2010
Membership Benefits

by Thomas Pagel

The 2010 golf season is underway in St. George and as we wait for Mother Nature to make up her mind in the northern part of the state it is difficult not to get excited for another year of great golf in the beehive state. As the Utah Golf Association preps to fire up the statewide score posting network on March 15th there is one question I have for you. Did you know that the UGA is much more than just a handicap? While it is true that a major benefit to joining the UGA is an official USGA Handicap Index the UGA does much more than administer the USGA Handicap system and offers our members much more than just this one benefit.

During this past off-season the UGA conducted a survey of our general membership and found that our members all have two things in common; they love the game of golf and they want to play more golf! The UGA listened and now in addition to the 2-for-1 discounts that have always come standard with your membership UGA members can receive $10 off their 2010 Utah PGA Golf Pass. The golf pass has always been a wonderful value for those players looking for great deals at courses throughout the state and it just got even better (to order your golf pass today contact the Utah PGA offices and by providing them with your active UGA number you become eligible to receive the discount).

The Utah Golf Association will again be busy this year administering a number of programs both for our members, and on behalf of our membership. In addition to the USGA handicap system the UGA will administer an extensive championship schedule which includes the Utah State Amateur (the longest continually running tournament in the world), we will measure and rate upwards of 30 golf courses as the USGA licensed golf association in Utah, we will provide education opportunities for our member clubs, we will answer inquiries on the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status and act as a general resource for all of our member courses and member clubs.

It is also important to the UGA that we act as a steward and promoter of the game of golf. In 2010 the UGA will again use membership dollars to support the Utah golf community and our allied associations for programs such as junior golf, golfer development, turf grass research, and the Utah Golf Hall of Fame.

The staff and board of the UGA are all proud to serve the membership of the association and we will continue to grow our communication efforts to inform our members of the UGA programs and benefits of membership. We hope that you have been receiving our monthly e-newsletters throughout the winter and in the coming months the UGA will be launching our new website which will make it easier for you to access information about the association and allow you to take advantage of your membership in the UGA. As you prepare to go out and enjoy another year on the links in Utah, remember that the UGA is much more than just a Handicap, we are YOUR golf association!

The Utah Golf Association is a 501 (c)7 not-for profit membership organization. If at any time you need to update your contact information with the UGA you can either send an email to revisions@uga.org or call the office at (801)563-0400.

Thanks for your continued support of the Utah Golf Association. We look forward to seeing you on the course in 2010!

Benefits of membership in the UGA
• Two-for-one discounts at courses throughout Utah (see your UGA membership card for details)
• An official USGA Handicap Index
• Subscription to Fairways magazine (quarterly)
• $10 discount on Utah PGA golf pass
• Eligibility in tournaments held throughout the state
• Education and volunteer opportunities
• Discount on Salt Lake City Passports (see your UGA membership card for details)
• And much more!

Thomas Pagel is the executive director of the Utah Golf Association.