Six Reasons to be a CGA Member

At the Carolinas Golf Association, we continue to look for new and exciting ways to provide benefits to our members. If you're not already a CGA member, check out how to join at a golf course near you or register online through an eClub. We welcome you to be part of our community, with more than 140,000 members located at over 720 golf clubs.

1) DISCOUNTS

Through two of our core programs, CGA members can save money on what they love to do - play golf and travel! Our members play an average of 84 golf rounds a year while 78% have taken at least one golf vacation in the past 12 months. The CGA Member Advantage program offers exclusive monthly deals at courses across the Carolinas. Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Dormie Club, Scotch Hall Preserve, and Wild Dunes are just some of the courses that offered exclusive rates for CGA members.
 

 

The CGA Travel Program allows members to save on everything from movie tickets to sporting events and even theme parks like Carowinds, located on the North and South Carolina state line. Start saving when you travel by finding member-only pricing on hotels, flights, and rental cars. With just one site to check for rates not available to the public, never pay retail again!

 

We are devoted to promoting and protecting golf for the next generation. In 2018, golf associations in the Carolinas teamed up to bring Youth on Course to our region. Young golfers ages 6-18 can play at over 50 participating courses for $5 or less! They can also redeem the Youth on Course rate at nearly 700 golf courses across the country!

 

2) ACCESS

Thousands of CGA members enjoy playing courses they might not otherwise have access to thanks to our tournament programs.

Our One-Day Tournaments are opportunities for CGA members to play different courses across the Carolinas and compete against golfers of similar skill level. With over 200 annual tournaments open to both men and women with an active handicap index from a CGA member club, there are sure to be events that fit your schedule. Every one-day tournament awards gross and net prizes. 

Individual ~ Four-Ball ~ Ladies' Four-Ball ~ Senior Four-Ball
 

Each year our foundation hosts events on two of the top-rated courses in North Carolina. Bring your favorite golf partner to an incredible facility for a memorable experience! The Foundation Four-Ball is hosted at the beautiful Grandfather Golf & Country Club, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Prestigious Pinehurst Resort & Country Club graciously offers Course No. 2 for the annual Green Friday, typically held the day after Thanksgiving. You can register a foursome for this relaxed event on the venerable Donald Ross-designed course that has hosted nine national championships.

 

3) TRAVEL

For the past 25 years, we've helped CGA members escape the winter blues with an Island Four-Ball Getaway Tournament. Playing three courses over four days, 94 golfers experience fun in the sun at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, including "Teeth of the Dog", the #1 ranked course in the Caribbean.

By popular demand, we've introduced another group trip, which traveled to St. Andrews, Scotland last year. In August 2018, we venture back across the Atlantic Ocean for six days of golf in Ireland. Plans for next year are already in the works. We're excited to take CGA members to Bandon Dunes in Oregon from April 5-9, 2019.

Taking a trip of your own? Use our Travel Program to book your hotel stay, flights, rental car, and entertainment tickets. This site offers member-only deals in one convenient portal.

 

4) HANDICAP INDEX

With a GHIN Handicap Index, you unlock the ability to participate in over 300 CGA tournaments. The foundation of equitable competition, an active Handicap Index is a requirement for most golf club invitational events. In addition to being necessary for tournament play, a Handicap Index is a great way to track your progress from one round to the next.

The CGA Mobile App offers a personalized experience allowing you to manage and follow your game with ease.  

• Post your score

• Official USGA Handicap Index^® card

• View your most recent scores

• Interactive Course Handicap Calculator

• Handicap Index Lookup

• Tournament Calendar and Sign-up

• Tournament Pairings, Real Time Scoring, and Results

• Get Partners' Handicap Information   

 

5) COMPETITION

Each year the CGA conducts over 300 tournaments for players of all ages and ability levels. From gross & net one-day tournaments to state and regional championships, our interclub series, and USGA national championship qualifying, there are plenty of opportunities to get a taste of competition.

CGA one-days feature a broad spectrum of playing abilities - from scratch or better to high handicappers. It gives most players the opportunity to compete in a real tournament - play the ball as it lies and hole out on every hole - when they might not otherwise qualify to play in a CGA championship.

For those golfers looking to test their games at the highest level, our 48 championships offer a variety of formats to compete to have their name engraved in CGA history.

 

6) SUPPORTING GOLF'S FUTURE

As a not-for-profit organization, the CGA will use your membership dues to promote the game we love.

Our newest program, Youth on Course, seeks to provide life-changing opportunities through golf. Young golfers ages 6-18 can play at over 50 participating courses in the Carolinas for $5 or less.

The Tarheel Youth Golf Association offers North Carolina golfers ages 6-18 an extensive competition schedule to encourage junior golf development.

Since 1977, the Carolinas Golf Foundation has distributed nearly $2 million to benefit Carolinas-based golf initiatives, including over nine Carolinas First Tee programs, several city-wide developmental programs, the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, the Women’s South Carolina Golf Association, and many junior golf programs.

 

All these are great reasons to join. Collectively, they summarize how the CGA can help you make lasting memories through golf. 

 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.

The CGA annually conducts 48 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 150 One-Day (net and gross) events as well as qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed nearly $2,000,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.    

For more information about the CGA, visit our website.

 

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