What Metropolitan Golf Association does

The Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA), founded in 1897 and headquartered in Elmsford, New York, is a nonprofit Allied Golf Association (AGA) of the USGA that administers the game of golf across the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut metropolitan area. As the designated regional governing body, the MGA administers the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status, performs course rating, and operates USGA championship qualifying for the territory. Its technology backbone is the GHIN (Golf Handicap & Information Network) service jointly developed with the USGA in the early 1980s, which supports over 140,000 golfers locally and nationwide, complemented by Golf Genius tournament management software and the My MGA mobile application for member engagement.

The MGA's commercial offering is a membership-based platform spanning individual golfers, golf clubs, caddie and golf services professionals (via the CGSMA subsidiary), and women's and junior programs. It runs a multi-format championship portfolio (Met Open, Met Amateur, Senior events, Mid-Amateur, Junior championships, the Carter Cup, Four-Ball events, and others), a fully digital member publication (The Met Golfer, with companion Met Golfer EXTRA), and Rules education programs. The MGA Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3), runs youth development initiatives including GOLFWORKS, Youth on Course, Adaptive Golf, caddie academies, and scholarship programs in partnership with First Tee – Metropolitan New York and the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Revenue is diversified across four streams: recurring membership dues, transaction-based championship entry fees, corporate sponsorship and advertising (with major partners including Callaway as presenting sponsor of the Met Open, MetLife across multiple championships, Lexus, Rolex, Dewar's, Assured Guaranty, and PwC), and Foundation donations. Sponsorship tiers are stratified into major (Callaway, MetLife, Lexus, Rolex) and minor partners. MGA membership pricing is not publicly disclosed, while CGSMA fees are disclosed at $150/year for individuals and $250/year for clubs. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operates without outside equity ownership, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

Metropolitan Golf Association

Legal name

Metropolitan Golf Association

Website

https://mgagolf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA), founded in 1897, is a nonprofit Allied Golf Association of the USGA that administers Rules of Golf, championships, handicapping (via the joint USGA GHIN system), and youth programs for golfers and clubs across the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut metropolitan area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Golf Association Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (7112), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Amateur golf championships
• Golf handicap services
• Golf association membership
• Junior golf programs
• Rules of Golf administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Elmsford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to championships, handicapping services, and member benefits including the USGA Handicap Index.
2. Championship Entry Fees: Revenue from tournament entries for various MGA championships including the Met Open, Met Amateur, Senior Amateur, and junior events.
3. Sponsorship and Advertising: Corporate sponsorships from partners including Callaway, MetLife, Lexus, and others displayed on the website and at championships.
4. Foundation Donations: The MGA Foundation (501(c)(3)) accepts donations supporting junior golf programs, caddie academies, and scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Metropolitan Golf Association is a nonprofit regional golf association that administers amateur golf championships, handicapping services (including the jointly developed GHIN system with the USGA), Rules of Golf education, course rating, and junior golf development programs in the NY, NJ, and CT metropolitan area. It serves as an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, providing members with official USGA Handicap Index, championship competition, and qualifying pathways to national events.

Product overview

The Metropolitan Golf Association is a regional golf governing body serving the Met Area (NY, NJ, CT) that operates as a platform of interconnected services rather than a single product. Its core offerings include golf championships and tournament management (MGA Championships across multiple formats including stroke play, match play, and team events), handicapping services (World Handicap System and GHIN integration with USGA), digital publications (The Met Golfer magazine and Met Golfer EXTRA now fully digital since 2025), a mobile application (My MGA App), and golf education resources. The MGA Foundation extends the mission through youth development programs (GOLFWORKS, Junior Competitions, Youth on Course, Caddie Corner), scholarship offerings, and community initiatives. An affiliated association, CGSMA, serves caddie and golf services professionals. The organization also maintains a Rules of Golf education program and video library for member engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Met Golfer: Official magazine and publication of the Metropolitan Golf Association, transitioned to a fully digital format in 2025.
• Met Golfer EXTRA
• My MGA App
• MGA Play Days
• GOLFWORKS

Products and services

• MGA Championships Sanctioned amateur golf championships across multiple formats (stroke play, match play, team events) for men, women, seniors, and juniors in the Met Area. Presented by Callaway, MetLife, and other corporate sponsors.
• USGA GHIN Services Golf Handicap & Information Network service that provides official USGA Handicap Index administration to 140,000 golfers locally and nationwide. Jointly developed by MGA and USGA.
• World Handicap System Global handicap system providing an official USGA Handicap Index to MGA members, allowing golfers of differing abilities to compete equitably.
• Course Rating Implementation of the USGA Course Rating System throughout the Met Area, evaluating golf courses for handicap calculation purposes.
• MGA Play Days Member golf events and play opportunities for MGA members to engage in competitive and recreational golf.
• Rules of Golf Education Simplified Rules of Golf educational program teaching golfers the basics, plus the annual MGA Rules of Golf Quiz and supplemental USGA resources.
• MGA Foundation Programs Youth development programs including GOLFWORKS, Junior Competitions, Youth on Course, Youth Clinics, Adaptive Golf, Member Education, and Caddie Corner with academies and resources.
• MGA Foundation Scholarships Scholarship offerings including Jay Mottola Scholarship, GOLFWORKS Graduate Scholarship, Mahoney Family Scholarship, LICSF (Long Island Caddie Scholarship Fund), and MGACSF (MGA Caddie Scholarship Fund).
• CGSMA (Caddie and Golf Services Managers Association) Professional association for caddie managers, assistant caddie managers, and starters in the NY, NJ, and CT Met Area with approximately 500 members. Offers membership, events, job announcements, and training resources.
• Membership Services Member benefits including MGA Play Days, Hole-In-One Registry, Member Club Services, MGA Ambassador Program, Where to Play guide, and Lexus Member Appreciation Month partnership offering $1,000 certificate toward new Lexus vehicles.

Quantifiable outcome

• GHIN serves 140,000 golfers locally and nationwide

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• RolexmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRolex is listed as a supporter of golf and partner of the MGA. The partnership includes in-partnership branding on the MGA website and communications materials.
• Callaway GolfmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCallaway is the presenting sponsor of the Met Open Championship and provides video content including the 'Callaway Talks' and 'Met Methods' video series on the MGA website.
• MetLifemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMetLife sponsors multiple MGA championships including the MGA/MetLife Men's Four-Ball Championship, MGA/MetLife Women's Four-Ball Championship, Met Junior Championship sponsored by MetLife, and MGA/MetLife Boys' Championship.
• LexusmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLexus offers MGA members a $1,000 certificate toward lease or purchase of any new Lexus as part of Member Appreciation Month. Lexus provides automotive sponsorship at MGA events.
• USGAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe MGA serves as an Allied Golf Association (AGA) of the USGA. Jointly developed the GHIN (Golf Handicap & Information Network) service. MGA administers Rules of Golf, Amateur Status, and USGA championship qualifying in the Metropolitan Area.
• Dewar'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDewar's is listed as an MGA partner, appearing in the partner section of the website.
• Assured GuarantyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssured Guaranty appears as an advertiser and sponsor on the MGA website.
• PwCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPwC is listed among MGA partners in the partner section of the website.
• Golf GeniuscoreTechnology or IntegrationGolf Genius provides tournament management and scoring software used for MGA championship operations and results.
• Long Island Golf Association (LIGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIGA is an affiliated golf association within the Met Area, with joint championships and the MGA President of LIGA serves on the MGA Executive Committee.
• Women's Metropolitan Golf Association (WMGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMGA is an affiliated association co-conducting women's championships including the WMGA/MGA Women's Met Amateur Championship and WMGA/MGA Women's Public Links.
• New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNJSGA is an affiliated association with the MGA President of NJSGA serving on the MGA Executive Committee.
• First Tee - Metropolitan New YorkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe MGA Foundation has impacted thousands of young people through caddie academies, GOLFWORKS, First Tee – Metropolitan New York and junior competitions.
• Evans Scholars FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among caddie scholarship resources, supporting caddies with scholarship opportunities through the Western Golf Association.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The R&A: International governing body of golf that co-administered the Rules of Golf and World Handicap System alongside USGA. Provides a benchmark for governance, rules administration, and handicap standards that MGA implements at a regional AGA level.
• United States Golf Association (USGA): The national governing body that designates MGA as an Allied Golf Association and co-developed GHIN. Not a direct competitor but the overarching body whose rules, handicap framework, and championship pathway MGA operates within - the closest broad incumbent reference.

Direct peers

• Southern California Golf Association: Major regional Allied Golf Association serving Southern California with extensive amateur championships and foundation programs. Provides a high-scale comparable reference point for MGA's nonprofit AGA operating model.
• Northern California Golf Association: Regional Allied Golf Association serving Northern California with amateur championships, GHIN handicapping, and a foundation supporting youth golf. Comparable in integrated AGA + Foundation + handicapping model, though at larger geographic and membership scale.
• Illinois Golf Association: Large state-level Allied Golf Association of the USGA serving Illinois with amateur championships, GHIN-based handicapping, and member-club services. A broadly comparable peer in scale and governance structure outside the MGA's geography.
• New Jersey State Golf Association: State-level Allied Golf Association of the USGA that co-exists with MGA in the same Met Area geography, with representation on the MGA Executive Committee. Runs its own amateur championships, handicapping, and member services for NJ clubs, making it the closest comparable peer in business model and mandate.
• Women's Metropolitan Golf Association (WMGA): Affiliated women's regional golf association that co-conducts women's championships with MGA (Women's Met Amateur, Women's Public Links). Same nonprofit AGA-style structure and beneficiary base, scoped to women amateur golfers in the Met Area.
• Pennsylvania Golf Association: State-level Allied Golf Association administering amateur championships, handicapping, and rules for Pennsylvania. Closely mirrors MGA in mandate, nonprofit structure, and championship portfolio, including senior and junior events.
• Connecticut State Golf Association: State-level Allied Golf Association serving CT, which overlaps with MGA's NY/NJ/CT footprint. Runs amateur championships, handicapping, and rules administration under USGA AGA mandate in a directly comparable nonprofit membership model.
• Long Island Golf Association (LIGA): Affiliated regional golf association serving Long Island within the NY Met Area, conducting its own championships and represented on the MGA Executive Committee. Mirrors MGA's governance, championship, and member-service model on a sub-regional basis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MGA1897
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/mgagolf
• Facebookfacebook.com/mga1897
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metropolitan-golf-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/mga1897

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Metropolitan Golf Association