Georgia State Golf Association

What Georgia State Golf Association does

Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) is a nonprofit state golf association founded in 1916 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, serving as the Allied Golf Association to the USGA and the sole authorized issuer of USGA Handicap Indexes and USGA qualifying rounds in the state. The organization administers the World Handicap System and USGA Course Rating/Slope Database for 320+ member clubs across Georgia, with a membership community of 110,000+ individual golfers.

GSGA's core product surface centers on handicapping services and competitive programming. It conducts over 30 annual competitions across men, women, juniors, seniors, and super seniors, including the Georgia Amateur Championship (105th edition in 2026), Georgia Women's Amateur Championship, USGA national qualifiers, and the One-Day Series presented by PGA TOUR Superstore. Member-facing technology includes the MyGSGA mobile app (iOS and Android) for score posting and competition registration, integration with the GHIN handicapping platform (the largest handicapping service globally), and Golf Genius tournament management software. Sub-brands include the GSGA Junior Tour (ages 5–18), Youth on Course Georgia ($5 green fees), the GSGA Adaptive Golf Program (10+ monthly clinic locations including a Military Veterans track launched in 2019), Team Georgia / USNDP (elite junior development), and the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.

The business model is a nonprofit subscription-and-event-fee model. Individual adult and junior memberships are priced at $55 annually; One-Day Series events are priced at $85 per player; the GSGA Foundation (a wholly-owned charitable affiliate) accepts donations supporting adaptive, junior, and scholarship programs; merchandise sales contribute 25% of revenue to the Foundation; and corporate sponsorships (PGA TOUR Superstore as presenting sponsor, Southern Company as 2026 partner, Turtleson) supplement income. GSGA is governed by a small staff (11–50 employees) with Matt Vanderpool as CEO and operates exclusively within Georgia.

Name

Georgia State Golf Association

Legal name

Georgia State Golf Association

Website

https://gsga.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Georgia State Golf Association is a 1916-founded nonprofit serving as Georgia's USGA Allied Golf Association, administering the World Handicap System and 30+ annual competitions for 110,000+ members across 320+ member clubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Golf Association Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Golf Courses and Country Clubs (71391)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Amateur golf association
• Golf handicap services
• Junior golf programs
• Adaptive golf clinics
• Golf competition management

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Individual golfers pay annual membership dues to join the GSGA. Members receive a Handicap Index, access to competitions, Golf Georgia Magazine, Golf Georgia PLUS newsletter, MyGSGA mobile app, member perks program, One-Day Series events, and Youth on Course benefits.
2. Junior Tour Memberships: Junior golfers between ages 5-18 who have not yet started college pay for GSGA Junior Tour memberships at various levels (Premium, Regular, Beginner, Fall). Membership includes tournament entry, Youth on Course access, and other benefits.
3. One-Day Series Event Fees: Each One-Day Series event costs $85 per player. Events are open to all players on a first-come, first-served basis. Top finishers in each division receive PGA TOUR Superstore gift cards.
4. Merchandise Sales: GSGA operates an online shop selling apparel, headwear, and accessories for golfers. 25% of all sales support the GSGA Foundation.
5. Donations to GSGA Foundation: The GSGA Foundation accepts donations to support Adaptive Golf, Junior Golf, and Scholarship Programs. The Foundation is the charitable affiliate of the GSGA.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Georgia State Golf Association is the official state Allied Golf Association of the USGA, providing amateur golfers in Georgia with membership-based handicap indexing (GHIN / World Handicap System), sanctioning and administering 30+ statewide competitions and USGA qualifiers annually, and operating junior, adaptive, and member-club development programs across 320+ affiliated clubs and 110,000+ individual members.

Product overview

The Georgia State Golf Association operates as a comprehensive golf governing body offering a unified platform of programs and services. The core offering centers on handicapping through the World Handicap System and administering over 30 annual statewide competitions. Key products include the GSGA Junior Tour for youth development, the Adaptive Golf Program for inclusive access, the One-Day Series for competitive play across skill levels, and Team Georgia for elite junior development through USNDP. The organization provides the MyGSGA mobile app for score posting and member management, Golf Georgia Magazine for editorial content, and the Brand Ambassador Program supporting players reaching national championships. The portfolio integrates with GHIN for handicapping, Golf Genius for tournament management, and Youth on Course for affordable junior access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GSGA Junior Tour: Statewide junior golf program for players ages 5-18 who have not yet started college, providing competitive junior golf opportunities throughout Georgia.
• Youth on Course Georgia
• GSGA Foundation
• Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
• GSGA Adaptive Golf Program

Products and services

• GSGA Individual Membership Annual membership for amateur golfers in Georgia granting a USGA-licensed GHIN handicap index, eligibility for state and USGA competitions, and member benefits.
• GHIN / World Handicap System Handicap Index USGA-licensed handicap computation and posting service for Georgia amateur golfers, delivered through the GHIN platform under the World Handicap System.
• GSGA State Championships and Competitions Annual slate of more than 30 GSGA-administered amateur championships and competitions held at member and host clubs across Georgia, including men's, women's, senior, and four-ball events.
• GSGA One-Day Series presented by PGA TOUR Superstore Series of one-day amateur tournaments across Georgia providing accessible competitive playing opportunities for GSGA members.
• USGA Qualifiers in Georgia Local and state qualifying rounds administered by GSGA for USGA national championships, including U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women's Open, and U.S. Women's Amateur.
• GSGA Junior Tour Season-long competitive tour for junior amateur golfers in Georgia, providing structured tournament play, rankings, and development opportunities.
• Team Georgia / USGA National Development Program (USNDP) Identification and development program for elite Georgia junior golfers, providing training, coaching, and a pathway into USGA national-level competition.
• Youth on Course Georgia Affordable-access junior golf program providing reduced-rate green fees for young players at participating courses in Georgia.
• GSGA Adaptive Golf Program Adaptive golf program providing clinics, instruction, and competitive opportunities for golfers with disabilities in Georgia, in partnership with Special Olympics Georgia.
• GSGA Club Affiliation Annual affiliation program for Georgia golf clubs, granting access to GHIN handicap services, GSGA event sanctioning, and member-club benefits.
• MyGSGA Mobile App Mobile application for GSGA members to view their handicap index, post scores, register for tournaments, and access member resources.
• Golf Georgia Magazine Official GSGA magazine covering amateur golf news, member features, club stories, and association programming.
• Players of the Year Awards Annual recognition program honoring top-performing amateur golfers in Georgia across men's, women's, senior, and junior categories.
• Hole-in-One & Unique Feats Club Recognition and reporting program for GSGA members who record a hole-in-one or other notable scoring accomplishments.
• GSGA Brand Ambassador Program Ambassador initiative featuring prominent Georgia amateur golfers who promote GSGA programs, events, and membership benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 110,000+ members served across Georgia
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Southern CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026GSGA announced a partnership with Southern Company in May 2026. Southern Company is a major energy company operating in Georgia and serves as a significant corporate partner supporting GSGA programs and initiatives.
• PGA TOUR SuperstorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPGA TOUR Superstore is the presenting sponsor of the GSGA One-Day Series. The partnership includes top finishers in each division receiving PGA TOUR Superstore gift cards, and the sponsor provides support for the season-ending Finale event.
• USGA (United States Golf Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSGA serves as an Allied Golf Association to the USGA and is the sole entity authorized to conduct all USGA qualifying rounds in Georgia. GSGA administers the World Handicap System (WHS) and issues USGA Handicap Indexes through its Member Clubs. GSGA also implements USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating for Georgia golf courses.
• Youth on CoursecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth on Course is a national nonprofit program that provides $5 green fees for juniors at participating courses. GSGA is the Georgia state partner, with all GSGA Junior Tour members automatically enrolled. Youth on Course Georgia provides access to participating courses for $5 per round for juniors ages 6-18.
• GSGA Member Clubs (300+)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 300 golf courses and clubs across Georgia serve as member clubs of the GSGA. Member clubs receive handicapping services, course rating, GSGA Foundation support, and host GSGA competitions and adaptive golf clinics. Member clubs are listed in the GSGA Member Club Directory.
• GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationGHIN is the world's largest handicapping service and is a USGA service. GSGA Membership includes a Handicap Index through GHIN. The platform enables score posting, tournament pairings, course rating, and Slope Database services.
• PGA of America / Georgia Section PGAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe GSGA Adaptive Golf Program is taught by PGA Teaching Professionals. The Team Georgia Selection Committee includes representatives from the Georgia Section of the PGA of America. Adaptive golf monthly clinics include trained adaptive golf coaches and experienced Veteran Mentors.
• Golf GeniuscoreTechnology or IntegrationGolf Genius provides tournament management software for GSGA competitions. All GSGA competitors are required to create a user account in Golf Genius prior to registering for events. Competition schedules and results are hosted on the Golf Genius platform.
• Georgia Section PGA of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Georgia Section of the PGA of America participates in the Team Georgia Selection Committee alongside GSGA representatives, combining their expertise to identify and develop elite junior golf talent in Georgia.
• TurtlesonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTurtleson is the sponsor of the 'Road to the Finale' program within the GSGA One-Day Series, which awards points throughout the season based on player finishes in both Gross and Net categories.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United States Golf Association (USGA): The national governing body of amateur golf in the United States. GSGA operates as an Allied Golf Association under USGA's authority, administering the World Handicap System and conducting USGA qualifiers. Broad incumbent whose platform decisions directly determine GSGA's product roadmap.

Direct peers

• Alabama Golf Association: Alabama's USGA Allied Golf Association providing handicapping, member clubs, junior golf, and amateur competitions. Direct peer in scale and structure, operating in a neighboring Southern state with comparable golfer demographics.
• Louisiana Golf Association: Louisiana's state amateur golf governing body with USGA Allied status. Operates the same handicapping, member club, junior, and amateur competition framework as GSGA. Direct comparable peer for operational benchmarking.
• Florida State Golf Association: The state amateur golf governing body for Florida, with a comparable mandate to GSGA: USGA Allied Association status, member club network, statewide handicap administration, junior and amateur competitions. Most directly comparable peer given parallel structure and similar Southern U.S. golf market dynamics.
• Tennessee Golf Association: Tennessee's state amateur golf governing body, USGA Allied Association, offering parallel programs to GSGA: handicap administration, member clubs, junior development, and state amateur championships. Direct functional peer for benchmarking.
• Carolinas Golf Association: Governs amateur golf in North and South Carolina, affiliated with USGA. Operates handicapping, junior programs, and statewide championships under an identical framework to GSGA. Direct regional peer given geographic proximity and shared regional golf culture.
• South Carolina Golf Association: Governs amateur golf in South Carolina, USGA Allied Association. Operates handicapping, member clubs, and statewide competitions parallel to GSGA. Direct peer in structure and member services offering.

Regional players

• Georgia Section PGA: The Georgia Section of the PGA of America serves PGA professionals in Georgia. Operates in parallel with GSGA — both organize golf activities in the state — and the two organizations partner on Team Georgia selection and adaptive golf instruction. Adjacent regional peer in the same golf ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Youth on Course: A national nonprofit providing $5 green fees and career pathways for juniors at participating golf courses. GSGA is the Georgia state partner, with all Junior Tour members auto-enrolled. Thematically aligned peer addressing junior golf access, with national rather than single-state scope.

Others

• Golf Genius Software: Provides tournament management software used by GSGA for competition registration, pairings, and results. While not a direct peer in mission, Golf Genius is an enabling technology partner in the amateur golf ecosystem — comparable to vendors that support other state associations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gsga
• YouTubeyoutube.com/GeorgiaStGolfAssoc
• Facebookfacebook.com/gsga1916
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/georgia-state-golf-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/gsga1916

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia State Golf Association