Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2018 - 37

BACK
PRESIDENT'S
DESK
The Big Picture
* BY BARB HANSON *
W
hat does your MGA membership mean to
you? For many of us, the MGA is our handicap
provider, the source of the Minnesota Golfer
magazine you are reading right now, and the provider of
tournaments and competitions for Minnesota golfers.
However, let me say that the MGA is so much more.
Have you ever taken a look at the list of Allied Associations
on page 46? This lengthy list represents all of the ways that
the MGA is connected to the game and the business of golf
in Minnesota.
We work together with the allied associations to enhance
the game for everyone throughout the state. For example:
The MGA is working with the Minnesota Section of the
PGA to promote the sale of golf license plates. (Do you
have one yet?) The proceeds from the sale of these special
plates are being used for such things as Youth on Course, a
program that allows junior golfers to play golf on participating
courses for a nominal $5 fee. Regional Affairs Director
Joel Comstock is the liaison between the MGA and the
national Youth on Course program and he is busy growing
the program here. The Fairway Foundation, First Tee and
Minnesota Minority Junior Golf Association are also working
hard to get kids " on course. "
The MGA also works closely with the Minnesota Golf
Course Superintendents Association-a group designed to
" advance the art and science of golf course management. "
Together we sponsor the annual Turf Grass Forum (especially
for golf course superintendents, but open to anyone
interested in attending). The forum features speakers with
timely information for the coming season. I don't have to tell
you how this information impacts your experience on the
golf course. The MGA also sponsors several agronomy visits
to individual golf courses each summer.
The Western Golf Association Evans Scholarship is a program
that sends caddies to college, providing full four-year
tuition and housing scholarships. As well as being excellent
students, the young people who vie for these scholarships
have demonstrated a strong work ethic and outstanding
character. I am in awe of the candidates each year. There is
an Evans Scholar house at the University of Minnesota and
at this time, there are 58 students living there while pursuing
their college education. I encourage you to support this
program in any way you can.
The MGA is also well known and highly regarded on the
national stage. Two MGA staff members, Stacy Sazama and
Doug Hoffman, have been testing a new tournament management
software for the USGA. This software will now
be used nationally beginning in 2018. Developed by Golf
Genius, this very robust and user-friendly program is an
exciting upgrade to what we have been using.
MGA Assistant Executive Director Lisa Overum was
selected to be a member of an international committee
developing a worldwide handicap system, scheduled to be
rolled out in 2020.
And our Executive Director Tom Ryan was recently
chosen to be part of the newly formed Allied Golf Association
Council-a group designed to relay state and regional golf
associations' opinions and needs to the USGA.
The MGA is truly part of a much bigger picture.
Individually, we may not feel the direct effect of these alliances
and involvements, but collectively, we are enriched
beyond measure by all of these associations working as one
under the MGA umbrella.
Play hard. Play happy.
mngolf.org
Directory 2018 MINNESOTAGOLFER
37
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2018

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