News

AGA & AWGA make move to GHIN

The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced today that two Arizona golf associations will switch to receiving support for their handicap operations to the Golf Handicap and Information Network® (GHIN) beginning October 15, 2012.

Together, the Arizona Golf Association (www.azgolf.org) and the Arizona Women’s Golf Association (www.awga.org) represent approximately 80,000 golfers and more than 400 golf clubs statewide. The two associations also partner to manage the Arizona Handicap Network, or AzHN.

“There are many good reasons for the AWGA to subscribe to the GHIN service,” said Mary Pomroy, executive director of the Arizona Women’s Golf Association. “The deciding factor in our choice to make this transition was GHIN’s progress over the last decade in the utilization of state of the art technology. We are confident in its commitment to the continued enhancement of the product offering within GHIN, and to supporting the needs of state and regional golf associations.”

"We have been very impressed with the progress GHIN has made in adopting an on-line handicap service program that meets all of our needs,” said Ed Gowan, executive director of the Arizona Golf Association. “The seamless integration with other GHIN associations is important to our clubs, many of which have members in other associations.”

Started in 1981 at the request of state and regional golf associations, the GHIN service has grown to become the largest handicap computation service in the world, servicing in excess of 2.1 million golfers representing 73 golf associations and more than 12,700 golf clubs in 43 states, 4 U.S. territories and 4 foreign countries. GHIN is offered exclusively through state or regional golf associations, federations or unions as a service for their member clubs to assist in meeting the policies of the USGA Handicap System™ that enables all golfers to compete on a relatively equal basis.

“The USGA is proud of the increasing recognition and support for GHIN that national and international golf associations are delivering,” said Gene McClure, chairman of the USGA’s GHIN Committee. “The GHIN service has become a true global handicap and member service provider, and we look forward to continuing to develop and implement innovative services as part of our strong service commitment to these associations.”

About the USGA
The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico.

The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries.

For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.