Family Golf

 

Did one of your parents teach you to play golf? Have you ever teed it up with your son, or daughter? Have you ever played a quiet round with your wife? A $2-nassau with your brother? Or a friendly match with an in-law? Then you've experienced some of the joys of family golf.

Then you know that golf offers a wonderful way for family members to spend time together. And with demanding jobs, busy school calendars and hectic schedules, we all need family time.

The Family Golf Association (FGA) was created to celebrate and promote golf as a family activity. Why golf? No other sport or activity bridges the gap between age and ability as easily. On the golf course, every member of the family is on equal ground. You can be eight or 80...male or female...a novice player or a low-handicapper...and still enjoy playing the game together.

The FGA is a non-profit 501 (c) (4) organization that was formed to promote family fun and values through the game of golf. While there will be an emphasis on parents playing with their younger children, the FGA also wants to encourage play between all combinations of family members, including parents and their older children, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and in-laws.

National Golf Foundation research shows that 90% of all golfers are introduced to the sport by a family member or friend. Parents playing with their children is very important. Not only can parents pass the game onto the next generation and help grow the sport, they can teach their kids good solid family values which are inherent in golf, honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and etiquette.

That's why one of the Family Golf Association's primary goals is to make golf more "family-friendly." The FGA has developed guidelines for golf courses and clubs on how to better accommodate families with junior golfers. For instance, FGA-member courses will be urged eliminate greens fees and cart fees for juniors when they're accompanied by a paying adult; to establish family tee times on a weekend afternoon (e.g. Sunday at 3:00 PM) for parents who want to play nine holes with their junior children, establish family guest fees (at private clubs) and offer a Junior Scorecard based on USGA standards.

The FGA will also give members helpful tips on how to encourage juniors to play and have fun. It can be as simple as how to select the right equipment to suggestions on how to explain basic rules and etiquette in language a younger player will understand.

Other benefits for FGA members will include:

· Membership kit will include ID card, bag tag, luggage tag, decal and ball mark repair tool for each member of the family.

· Family golf vacations, including special golf packages, at participating golf resorts, such as the Walt Disney World Resort, The Homestead in Virginia and Arrowhead CC in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

· International golf vacations to Scotland and Ireland, and other classic courses around the world.

· Family trips to major golf events like the U. S. Open, Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, Walker Cup, British Open, LPGA Championship, U. S. Women's Open, Solheim Cup and more.

· Golf schools with programs geared to family participation.

·Newsletter which will feature:

· Personal family golf experiences from our Advisory Panel Pros and Board of Governor members.
· Expert tips for junior golfers (teaching programs, how to choose the right equipment, tips to make play more enjoyable).
· Updates on issues facilitating family play, particularly with juniors.
· Updates on resorts and other golf facilities that have "family-friendly" programs.
· Updates on discounts and special offers from new FGA partners.
· A calendar of family tournaments across the country.

· Participate in Member-Only FGA Events:

· Family Tournaments - The FGA's 2-person team Family Challenge will feature local and regional qualifying, with a national championship. Future family events include a National Father/Son, Mother/Daughter, Husband/Wife and In-Law Invitational.

· FGA's Annual Pro Family Challenge - An exciting 36-hole Better Ball with handicap event featuring 2-person teams comprised of a PGA Tour, Senior PGA Tour or LPGA Professional and a family member. There will also be a Pro-Am where you and a family member can play with the Pro and his/her family partner.

· Used equipment network through Play It Again Sports stores across the country - a chain of stores for members to sell and buy used and new golf equipment. A perfect palce for finding equipment for beginning golfers and juniors.



Membership
ANNUAL DUES
Associate Member/Individual Supporter $30
Family Membership (up to 4 people) $50
(add $15 per person for additional family members)
Golf & Country Club Membership $150
(includes template for 18-hole Junior Scorecard)

· Membership dues will help the FGA sponsor programs and scholarships for families and junior golfers in concert with the Advisory Panel, Board of Governors, United States Golf Association, United States Senior Golf Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, Senior PGA Tour, LPGA, American Junior Golf Association, National Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association, Big Brothers/Sisters, Hook A Kid On Golf and Make-a-Wish Foundation. In addition, the FGA will sponsor deserving families to FGA programs and events.

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