Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Membership in the USGA is still the perfect
gift for your favorite golfer and it’s only $15!
May 23, 2001, Far Hills, NJ ... The United States Golf Association (USGA)
Members Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary. And a quarter of
a century after Arnold Palmer signed up the Program’s first member, President
Gerald Ford, in a ceremony at the White House, the USGA Members Program
(http://members.usga.org or
800-223-0041) is still the perfect gift for the avid golfer,
whether its Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Graduation Day or a Birthday.
In
return for their support of the USGA (membership levels begin at $15),
USGA Members receive many benefits including a one-year subscription of
Golf Journal magazine, a current edition of the Rules of Golf book,
USGA decal, ID card and bag tag; advanced opportunity to purchase tickets
to selected USGA Championships; volunteer opportunities at USGA Championships
in the member’s area; entry into the Ultimate Golfer’s Dream Sweepstakes;
and a USGA Members Guide and Catalogue from Golf House with special Member
discounts. Benefits at the higher levels of membership include US Open
Program, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open Videos; and in the case
of Patron of Golf Members – USGA Championship Tickets.
For a minimum of $15 a year, nearly 1 million people lay claim to the
fact that they are Members of the USGA. As such, those people can also
lay claim to the fact that they help the USGA maintain many valuable programs,
for the good of the game including:
- Funding programs for juniors, physically challenged golfers and caddies;
- Conducting the 13 national championships, which include the U.S. Open,
Women’s Open, Senior Open and 10 Amateur championships;
- Preserving the principles and values of the game through writing and
interpreting the Rules of Golf;
- Upholding the element of skill in golf by testing and maintaining
the standards of golf equipment at the USGA’s Research and Test Center;
- Protecting the environment through the work of the USGA Green Section;
- Maintaining the National Handicap and Course Rating System, which
allows golfers of varying abilities the opportunity to compete equally
against each other wherever they play;
- Preserving the history of the game at the Golf House Museum and Library.
About the USGA:
The United States Golf Association has served as the national governing
body of golf since its formation in 1894. As a non-profit organization
run by golfers, more than 9,000 public and private golf courses, clubs,
and facilities and nearly 800,000 individuals make up the USGA.
