In 2003 the CGA invited then USGA executive director, David Fay, to speak at the CGA’s kick-off luncheon at the Denver Public Golf Expo at the Merchandise Mart. Nearly 25 years later, the Denver Merchandise Mart has been torn down, and David Fay has long since retired.
At that meeting, David was asked what the USGA was doing to “grow the game.” His answer surprised many. I am paraphrasing, but his response was along these lines: “Not our problem. The USGA is not on the supply-side of the golf business. Our job is to govern the game, to protect the game, to make sure it is healthy, but not necessarily to grow the game.”
Fast-forward to the year 2025 and the USGA position could not be more different. In 2003 the USGA was about as welcoming as tea with Emily Post. Don’t dare put your elbows on the table! If nothing else, the USGA was true to David Fay’s summary—more concerned about governance than growth. A great example was the position the USGA took on access to the USGA handicap system. The rules of handicapping were so restrictive, acquiring one required determination and commitment. Today, establishing a World Handicap System (WHS) handicap could not be simpler—they are readily available on the websites of all USGA-licensed Allied Golf Associations (AGAs) and even on the USGA website! What a concept!
To the USGA’s credit, they have recognized the need to evolve and have done so with a clear eye on the future. The USGA has set the bold goal of doubling the number of golfers in the United States who have handicaps from 2.5 million to 5 million. The GHIN mobile app has transformed the ease of posting scores, introduced game-improvement technology, added GPS and even tools to play games and keep score for your group. One of the coolest additions to the GHIN mobile app is the “GHIN Rewind” that recaps your year in golf with a summary of scores posted, average score, number of courses played, handicap trend, lowest scores, highest scores, and other surprising information about your game. If you haven’t already checked out your personalized GHIN Rewind, hop into to your USGA GHIN Moblie app right now!
The CGA has also come a long way in the past 25 years. In 2003, golf in Colorado was governed by two separate golf associations, the CGA and the Colorado Women’s Golf Association (CWGA). Today we have combined forces to serve all of golf as one unified golf association. The coming together of the CGA and CWGA has elevated the priority of girls and women in a historically male-biased game. The CGA updated its mission statement from a serviceable statement that mirrored the USGA’s stand offish position to the simple and welcoming statement, “to make golf and all it offers available to everyone.”
As we embark on the final year of the first quarter of this century, golf is in a great place. It is no longer your grandfather’s game played in funny pants—well, Jason Day’s pants might be an exception. Golf is part of our culture. Charles Barkley loves golf. Young people think golf is a social-media-worthy post. Off-course golf now has more participants than the green-grass variety. In short, golf is cool.
All of this great news, but here is the best part. As much as the game has changed, at its core it remains the same. It still challenges and captivates. It still bridges the generational divide. It still gets us outside to enjoy the beauty of our world. And as COVID-19 demonstrated, it serves as a powerful escape from our isolating times and brings us together with friends.
Thank you golf--we need friendship more than ever!