Arizona Womens Golf Association

Programs: Usga programs enable amateur players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. They both teach and further the understanding of the rules of golf and how to apply them in the play of the game. Through this program, we inspire respect and appreciation for the traditions and technical integrity of the game; enable the highest level of amateur competition through the application of professional championship administration; protect the game and its competitors through education of members and golf administrators by representing the interests and regulations of the usga at the state and local level. We strive to earn a reputation with our golf course staff and members of the clubs of the awga as an essential and constructive contributor to the good of the game. (continued on schedule o)usga program activities include:* course rating, which takes place at 100% of arizona's qualifying golf courses, certifies they are accurately rated for play by women in accordance with the usga course rating system, and maintained current in compliance with the scheduling requirements of that system. Doing so makes sure there are a wide variety of tee options for all skill levels of women players. * handicap administration, education, & certification for handicap chairs, club members, golf professionals, golf shop staff, management company employees, and many more, ensures consistency in interpretations and applications of the guidelines. We oversee, educate and administer the use of the hardware and software provided at the club level for score posting, data exchange and handicap calculations. We work to ensure that the usga handicap system is fully and properly implemented at the golf club level. * we provide rules of golf administration to enable professionally run state championships and tournaments, as well as local and sectional qualifiers for national championships. Through the educational features of our volunteer development program, we educate our staff and volunteer rules officials, who go on to share those skills with awga member clubs, the usga, and other allied associations and outside organizations. We provide rules officials for numerous junior, high school, college, and local professional events and championships. Through our educational series, rules administration includes open to the public seminars on the rules of golf. * by conducting and supporting local and sectional national championship qualifiers, we facilitate the presentation of the us women's open, the us women's amateur, the us women's four-ball, the us women's mid-amateur, and the us women's senior amateur championships. * by participating in the usga's pj boatwright, jr. Internship program, we help provide a pool of future golf administrators thoroughly educated in the systems and procedures of the usga.

the information and outreach program addresses the unsatisfactory amount of meaningful representation, participation, and visibility of women at all levels of the business and play of the game of golf; the need for information that voices the common interests of awga members to each other and to the community at large; the need for a nucleus for communication among women golfers and supporters of women's golf. The program strives to increase visibility for women golfers and women's golf organizations, and to increase representation of women golfers on golf industry boards and committees. By publishing information about events and programs statewide, it strives to ensure the existence of a fully informed, highly connected, and interactive women's golf community in arizona. (continued on schedule o). Specific program activities include the following member and industry outreach initiatives:* the gem survey is a broadly-distributed opinion survey sent by the awga that enables women to provide feedback to golf facility management about how well they welcome and meet the needs and expectations of women golfers. It provides a resource for improvement for the golf industry in this underserved segment of the population. * on-site club events help educate club members and club golf professionals about various aspects of the game of golf, and inform the membership as to the types of assistance that we provide. * our club representative program consists of at least one enthusiastic representative at every club who acts as a liaison to the awga in order to pass information along to club members in a timely manner. This ensures well-informed and educated members and club officials who feel connected to local and statewide golf communities. * public relations and recognition events publicly celebrate the successes and accomplishments of women golfers in our community. They foster an environment of mutual respect and appreciation between the public, media, and golf industry and the awga's membership, volunteers and most accomplished players. * publications such as a comprehensive website, statewide golf calendar, quarterly newsletter, weekly electronic email communications, and printed club directory keep our members and the public informed of important events and playing opportunities for women in arizona and nationally, as well as events and activities of other organizations that are deemed important to the membership and the public. * industry outreach programs involve awga executive staff, management, and high level volunteers working on collaborative projects and joining organizations throughout the golf industry, for the purpose of increasing the representation of women and women's golf organizations in the business of golf and golf administration. At the national and international level, this includes providing representation and leadership for the women's golf alliance, international association of golf administrators, and usga committees.

our player programs seek to attract and keep women golfers in the game, enabling them to develop a true interest and passion for the game, and inspiring them to adopt golf as a lifestyle choice, either recreationally or competitively. Playing opportunities are offered for women of all abilities, allowing them to advance their skill level through instruction and competition. There are opportunities for social play as well as mid- and high-level competitive tournaments and championships at the state level. (continued on schedule o)player program initiatives include:* the build a team program, which encourages participation in golf beginning at the high school level. Most of arizona's high schools do not have thriving girls' golf teams populated by experienced teenaged girl golfers. Resources and experienced coaches are limited. We powerfully and positively impact participation in golf as a team sport by girls in arizona high schools, by creating the opportunity for girls to learn the game from professional instructors, supporting the work of dedicated coaches financially and emotionally, and encouraging the long term support of the local community. * golf 101 provides adult women with introductory golf instruction by a golf professional, as well as guidance from an experienced female golfer in a group setting. It provides a built-in, welcoming connection for the new golfers to the women's golf community, removing one of the primary barriers to women staying in the game. It allows golfers a chance to share their knowledge and expertise with less experienced individuals, giving back to the golf community. * just 4 fun golf events recognize that new golfers do not start off wanting competition and tournament play. After a woman has learned to swing a club, she needs an opportunity to use those skills on the golf course in a non-threatening environment. These events provide a playing opportunity for new women golfers to get on the course, and also attract women who are experienced golfers but who do not yet like competition. This kind of organized play is a stepping stone for many women, who are encouraged to give competition a try. * association tournaments are available for competitive female golfers who are not necessarily championship level players. They provide an opportunity for all handicap ranges to hone their competitive drives, and experience the full value of playing the game by the rules, while also incorporating the more social, fun aspects of the game and minimizing the formality of the administration of the event, which also minimizes the intimidation factor of playing in a tournament. * the awga's women's state championships are the highest echelon of state level amateur competition for women in arizona, and have been conducted annually since 1924. The challenging venues and setups attract the best women golfers in the state. Four women's state championships are presented annually in the following formats: a four-ball, a stroke play, a match play, and a senior stroke play championship. Championships are conducted professionally at venues in all regions of the states. Over the years, many champions of these events have gone on to represent arizona in national level competition or have become golf professionals.

the awga's volunteer development program attempts to ensure that internal and external needs for adequate levels of trained volunteers are met. The number of individuals required to administer the game of golf, both for professional and high level amateur competitions as well as for grass roots club-level play, makes staffing these positions with paid employees cost prohibitive. Recruiting, training and retaining highly skilled volunteers are vital to sustaining the game at all levels. In order for the awga, a 501(c)(3) corporation, to be fully staffed, the organization needs to fill approximately 280 trained technical volunteer positions on an ongoing basis. In addition, approximately 400 one-time volunteers and club liaisons are needed to conduct events and maintain the strong connection with our members within our clubs. In addition to our own programs, volunteers recruited and trained by the awga also support junior, high school, college, and regional amateur tournaments conducted in our state. The program also strives to provide volunteers for allied associations, the usga, and hopes to further the cause of volunteerism in our communities. Volunteer development program initiatives include:* recruitment of both women and men occurs primarily within but sometimes outside the organization's membership. Recruiting is done mostly by word of mouth and friend to friend. Many also discover volunteer opportunities posted on our website and in our various communications. * volunteer education is provided at the local level in rules of golf, course rating, and handicap system administration. The curriculum includes teaching the hands-on application of the rules during competitions and presentation of the rules in a classroom setting for the edification of the general population of golfers. Further training is conducted in an experiential fashion as volunteers participate in the conduct of actual tournaments and championships, on-course ratings, and in seminar presentations. A tuition reimbursement program helps ensure the ability of our volunteers to acquire higher level education directly from the usga and pga through national rules of golf workshops. The evolving nature of the technical aspects of golf requires continuing education for volunteers to maintain their expertise. * engagement efforts are important to the awga's continued success. Awga volunteers contributed approximately 20,000 hours to golf in 2015. Based on survey results, the average length of service of a current awga volunteer is 10 years and average satisfaction rate is 95%. Once engaged in the endeavour of golf administration, it is typical for a volunteer to make their area of expertise a lifetime avocation.