ABOUT THE ARIZONA GOLF ASSOCIATION


AGA Staff Foundation Executive Committee

About Us


The Arizona Golf Association (AGA), which was founded in 1923, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(4) association that serves as the official governing body of amateur golf in Arizona. What started as a small group of golfers who got together to run the annual Amateur Championship has grown to an association of more than 700 men’s and women’s clubs, serving nearly 80,000 individual members. Today, the AGA is a volunteer-based organization directed by amateur golfers passionately dedicated to promoting the game of golf and providing valuable benefits and services to its members.

Mission Statement

To foster the enhancement and expansion of the game of golf by leading in the development of member and information services, the promotion of opportunities for all who want to play and the protection of the game’s integrity and valued traditions.

Purpose

The Association’s purpose is to promote the best interests and true spirit of the game throughout Arizona. Its goals, as outlined in its bylaws are:

  • To promote voluntary association of golf clubs and course facilities solely for the betterment of golf and to encourage good relations among members of the Association
  • To advance uniform rules and standards consistent with those published by the USGA, especially with regard to the Handicap System (Arizona Handicap Network), Amateur Status, Rules of Golf and Green Section Research
  • To establish and maintain uniform and statewide handicap and course rating systems with the USGA recommended procedures
  • To conduct state championships and assist individual member clubs in the operation of their activities
  • To engage in and promote such other activities deemed to be in the best interest of golf, golf facilities and the golfers in Arizona

Responsibilities

The Arizona Golf Association is the official governing body of amateur golf in Arizona and is passionate about protecting the game – its appeal, traditions and history. However, we also understand the changing face of the golf population and are continually looking for ways to grow the game, to reach out to our membership and to create opportunities for new golfers to join the AGA family.

Traditionally the AGA:

  • Is closely affiliated with the United States Golf Association through our contract to issue USGA Handicaps and Course and Slope Ratings within the state, overseeing the club licensing program and representing the USGA in several other areas such as administering Amateur Status
  • Is firmly committed to providing education in all aspects of the game including USGA Rules of Golf, USGA Handicap System, conducting competitions and the proper marking of golf courses
  • Has representation on local and national committees that have significant impact on the direction of golf and impact on you the golfer. Examples include representation on the following USGA Committees: Handicap Procedures, Course Rating, Regional Associations, Rules of Golf and Member Development
  • Has affiliation with local and national organizations that are equally as focused on improving the game and molding its future including National Golf Foundation, Golf Course Superintendents Association, Golf Writers, International Network of Golf, International Association of Golf Administrators, International Golf Network and WE ARE GOLF
  • Is a staunch advocate of the rights of golf courses in Arizona and often represents clubs in important issues such as environmental, water,taxation and municipal golf course pricing – all meant to protect golf and our members

Governance

The AGA is a membership-based organization. There are two tiers to the volunteer governance of the Arizona Golf Association:

  • A 20-member Executive Committee governs the Arizona Golf Association. It oversees the long-term direction of the Association. Each member of the Executive Committee is either a chairman or vice-chairman of the association’s standing committees. The AGA’s Executive Director is an ex-officio member of this committee.
  • A Council of Past Presidents ensures that the direction of the association moves in concert with its mission and long-range goals. The Council also participates in the appointment and nomination of the Executive Committee.

Transparency in Coverage Rule

On November 12, 2020, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury finalized the Transparency in Coverage Rule that requires health insurers and group health plans to create a member-facing price comparison tool and post publicly available machine-readable files that include in-network negotiated payment rates and historical out-of-network charges for covered items and services, including prescriptions drugs.