Happy New Year!
January 01, 2019
I hope you and your family enjoyed a very joyous holiday season. 2018 was a busy year here at the SCGA, but a very rewarding one.
As we reflect on the productive past year and look forward to an exciting 2019, we have a few highlights to share:
- For the past six years, the USGA and R&A have been working together on a major refurbishment of the Rules of Golf. Beginning today, those new Rules go into effect. As you may have noticed, we’ve been driving a comprehensive plan to educate our general membership, club officials and rules officials on these pivotal changes. Using all our major SCGA communication vehicles, including numerous in-person seminars, it’s been our goal to ensure you’re ready to double as a Rules official during your next skins game.
- As we expand championship and event offerings, we have fully migrated to USGA Tournament Management (TM) software. You’ll also notice a revamped championship and qualifier section of scga.org to house these events in a more user-friendly environment – a change that was necessary following the conversion to USGA TM.
- With an eye to the future, we’ll be launching a new GHIN platform as we begin to prepare for the new World Handicap System coming in 2020. This updated GHIN system will benefit all golfers as part of a larger shift in how the game approaches handicapping through a more unified lens.
- With over 40,000 female members, the SCGA will transform the FORE Her monthly newsletter into a women’s program. FORE Her will now offer a wide variety of female-centric services including both social and competitive golf outings and gatherings. Stay tuned for more information.
- To meet the growing demand, we've bolstered our popular travel program that brings Member Outings participants to golf destinations such as Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach, and new this year, a trip across the pond to Ireland. To get involved in a 2019 experience, click here.
- As a reminder, we have digitized your 2019 member benefits and thus we will send your membership card and partner offerings only via email. Watch your inbox later this month for an SCGA email which will include your SCGA membership card along with $150 in partner benefits, including a $20 Roger Dunn/The Golf Mart gift card.
- As always, the work of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation continues to impact under-served youth throughout Southern California. Next year, we’ll provide programming to over 5,000 youth who will hit over 45,000 buckets of balls and play more than 35,000 rounds of golf for just $1-$5. I hope you’ll consider supporting this important initiative by donating.
Below are some quick links to 2019 playing opportunities for all abilities.
  Tournaments |
  Member Outings |
  Travel Program |
Your commitment to golf and our Association is one we take seriously, and we look forward to continuing to serve your passion as we advocate on your behalf on keys issues like water, the environment and public policy.
As always, if you need any assistance, we’re just a mouse click, chat window or phone call away.
Have a safe and healthy new year,
Kevin Heaney