Hawaii State Golf Association

What Hawaii State Golf Association does

The Hawaii State Golf Association (HSGA) is a non-profit amateur golf association founded in 1984 and headquartered in Aiea, Hawaii. It is one of 55 Allied Golf Associations in the United States and serves as the USGA-designated representative body for amateur golf in Hawaii and at U.S. military installations in Japan, Korea, and the Marshall Islands. Operated by 4 full-time staff and 15 volunteer directors, HSGA is the exclusive territorial provider of the GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) handicap service in Hawaii, issuing official World Handicap System indexes and supporting score posting via the GHIN Mobile App.

HSGA's core offerings span three layers: (1) handicapping and course services, including GHIN handicap computation, Course & Slope Rating Services, and Rules of Golf and Handicapping Seminars; (2) tournament operations, covering 22 annual HSGA-sanctioned events (Hawaii State Amateur, Manoa Cup, HSGA Four-Ball, Maui/Kauai/Big Island Amateurs, etc.), 12 USGA Championship qualifiers, and the Sony Open amateur exemption pathway, all powered by Golf Genius Tournament Management software; and (3) member programs, including the HSGA eClub digital membership (365-day handicap subscription), Player of the Year programs with $1,000 travel stipends, the Team Hawaii junior development program (aligned with the USGA's U.S. National Development Program), hole-in-one recognition, and organized golf travel to Scotland, Ireland, and Japan. In April 2023 HSGA merged with the Hawaii State Women's Golf Association to consolidate women's amateur programming.

HSGA's revenue model is diversified across handicap/membership subscriptions (eClub), per-event tournament entry fees ($150–$200 per entry), GHIN service fees, Golf Genius Premium subscription resales to member clubs, and golf travel packages via a partnership with Sullivan Golf Travel. Members register online through the GHIN platform; tournament operations are delivered through Golf Genius with live scoring and a mobile app in the paid Premium tier. Free Golf Genius Club version access is provided to member clubs and junior golf associations on each island.

Name

Hawaii State Golf Association

Legal name

Hawaii State Golf Association

Website

https://hawaiistategolf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Hawaii State Golf Association is a non-profit amateur golf association and the exclusive USGA-affiliated provider of GHIN handicap services for Hawaii, conducting 22 annual tournaments and 12 USGA qualifiers across the islands and at Pacific military installations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Golf Association Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

Keywords

• Amateur golf association
• Golf handicap services
• Golf tournament management
• Course rating services
• USGA affiliate

Headquarters

HQ city

Aiea

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: HSGA eClub membership fees providing official Golf Handicap Indexes and member benefits
2. Tournament Entry Fees: Entry fees for USGA qualifiers ($150-$200) and HSGA tournaments ranging from $150-$200 for championship events
3. GHIN Service Fees: Revenue from GHIN service which HSGA is the exclusive provider of for Hawaii
4. Golf Travel Packages: Organized golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, Japan and other destinations with proceeds supporting association operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Hawaii State Golf Association is a non-profit Allied Golf Association of the USGA that provides official GHIN handicap services, conducts 22 annual amateur tournaments (including USGA championship qualifiers), offers Course & Slope Rating Services, and delivers educational seminars on Rules of Golf, handicapping, and tournament management. It supports amateur golfers of all ages and skill levels across Hawaii and U.S. military installations in Japan, Korea, and the Marshall Islands.

Product overview

The Hawaii State Golf Association (HSGA) operates as a non-profit organization providing golf handicap services, tournament management, and member programs across Hawaii. The core offerings include the GHIN Handicap Service (exclusive provider for Hawaii), the World Handicap System implementation, and Course & Slope Rating Services. HSGA conducts 22 annual tournaments including the Hawaii State Amateur Stroke Play Championship (72 holes), the Manoa Cup (117th edition, match play since 1907), HSGA Four-Ball, Francis I'i Brown Four-Ball, and various island championships (Maui, Kauai, Big Island). The association manages USGA Championship qualifiers (12 types) and the Sony Open Qualifier for amateur exemption. Member benefits include HSGA eClub (digital membership), European and Asia golf trips, Player of the Year programs with $1000 travel stipends, Team Hawaii junior development (aligned with USNDP), and recognition programs (Hole-in-One, Volunteer of the Year). Educational offerings include Rules of Golf seminars, Handicapping workshops, and Tournament Management training through Golf Genius Tournament Management platform, which is provided to member clubs in Club (free) and Premium versions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HSGA eClub Membership Annual digital membership providing official GHIN Golf Handicap Index for amateur golfers in Hawaii, with online signup and renewal; valid 365 days from signup date.
• GHIN Handicap Service Official USGA-recognized Golf Handicap Index computation and management service, exclusively provided by HSGA for golfers in Hawaii via the GHIN network.
• World Handicap System Standardized handicap calculation system implemented in 2020 providing reliable and accurate handicapping for every golfer in Hawaii and at U.S. military installations in Japan, Korea, and the Marshall Islands.
• Course & Slope Rating Services Official USGA-aligned course and slope rating assessments conducted for golf courses throughout Hawaii to ensure accurate handicap calculations.
• Hawaii State Amateur Stroke Play Championship 72-hole elite amateur stroke play tournament, the last of its kind in Hawaii, with men's division winner receiving exemption into the U.S. Amateur Championship.
• Manoa Cup (Hawaii State Amateur Match Play Championship) 117th edition of Hawaii's oldest continuous golf tournament since 1907 — amateur match play championship with Open Division and Women's Division (added in 2016); winner receives exemption into the U.S. Amateur Championship.
• USGA Championship Qualifiers Twelve annual USGA Championship qualifiers hosted in Hawaii covering U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women's Amateur, U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Girls' Junior, U.S. Senior Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur, U.S. Senior Women's Amateur, and U.S. Amateur Four-Ball.
• Sony Open Qualifier Annual qualifier event providing top Hawaii amateurs with the opportunity to earn exemption into the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA Tour event through Player of the Year points rankings.
• Golf Genius Tournament Management Platform Tournament management software platform powered by Golf Genius, provided to HSGA member clubs (free Club version) with paid Premium tier offering live/online scoring and mobile app; free access provided to junior golf associations.
• HSGA Men's Player of the Year Program Points-based recognition program awarding a $1,000 travel stipend to top Hawaii amateur men to represent the state at national/international events.
• Team Hawaii Junior Program State junior golf team program aligned with the USGA's U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), selecting four boys and four girls annually based on competitive performance; benefits include team gear, mentorship, and USNDP membership for the following year.
• European Golf Trips Organized golf travel packages to Europe, including Scotland (St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch) and Ireland, with accommodation, guaranteed rounds, whisky distillery tours, and meals.
• Rules of Golf Seminars Educational seminars covering Rules 1-25 of golf, with optional 80-question exam, live webinars on specific rules topics, and on-course workshops held across various Hawaiian islands; includes Rules of Golf certification opportunities.
• Handicapping Seminars Educational programs on the World Handicap System including Rules of Handicapping, handicap allowances, and stroke index allocation, designed for club administrators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 tournaments annually for HSGA members
• +1 more outcomes

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

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020HSGA is the exclusive provider of the GHIN service for golfers in Hawaii. Provides official Handicap Indexes through the Golf Handicap and Information Network platform, including mobile app with GPS and green maps.
• USGA (United States Golf Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984HSGA is one of 55 Allied Golf Associations in the U.S. and serves as the representative body for amateur golf in Hawaii. The partnership involves hosting USGA championship qualifiers, implementing World Handicap System, and following USGA rules and standards.
• Golf GeniuscoreTechnology or IntegrationGolf Genius Tournament Management powers all HSGA events. HSGA provides this product to member clubs (free Club version, paid Premium) and to junior golf associations free of charge.
• Allied Golf AssociationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSGA is one of 55 Allied Golf Associations in the U.S.A. representing Hawaii and surrounding areas, working collaboratively on national handicap and tournament standards.
• Sullivan Golf TravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizes golf trips to Ireland and other destinations for HSGA members, providing travel packages including course bookings, lodging, and transportation.
• Maui Junior GolfminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJunior golf association receiving tournament management support and integration into HSGA tournament calendar.
• Big Island Jr GolfminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJunior golf association receiving tournament management support and integration into HSGA tournament calendar.
• USNDP (U.S. National Development Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSGA's Team Hawaii program feeds into USGA's U.S. National Development Program. Team Hawaii members gain automatic USNDP membership with benefits including recognition, expedited grant access, and AJGA event exemptions.
• Aloha Section PGAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Team Hawaii Committee supporting junior golfer development and pathway programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New York State Golf Association: NYSGA is the amateur golf governing body for New York, conducting USGA qualifiers, state amateur championships, GHIN handicap services, and tournament management. Closely comparable to HSGA's mission and product structure.
• Carolinas Golf Association: CGA is one of the oldest and most established Allied Golf Associations, delivering GHIN handicap services, USGA qualifiers, and amateur championships across the Carolinas. Same governing-body role and product mix as HSGA.
• Illinois Golf Association: The IGA is the Allied Golf Association for Illinois, providing GHIN distribution, USGA championship qualifiers, amateur championships, and course ratings. Functionally equivalent to HSGA at greater scale.
• Southern California Golf Association: SCGA is one of the largest Allied Golf Associations in the U.S., performing the same governing-body functions as HSGA (GHIN distribution, USGA qualifiers, amateur championships, course ratings) but at much larger scale. It is the most directly comparable functional peer in terms of mission, product mix, and USGA affiliation.
• Texas Golf Association: TGA is the Allied Golf Association for Texas, providing GHIN, USGA qualifiers, amateur championships, and member services. Comparable to HSGA in function and USGA affiliation, with a broader scale footprint.
• Georgia State Golf Association: GSGA is the Allied Golf Association for Georgia, providing GHIN handicap services, USGA qualifiers, state amateur championships, and member programs. Directly comparable in scope, though operating in a larger market.
• Florida State Golf Association: FSGA is a state-level amateur golf association conducting USGA qualifiers, state amateur championships, GHIN handicap services, and senior/junior programming. It is structurally analogous to HSGA in mission and product set, though operating in a much larger golf market.
• Northern California Golf Association: NCGA is another large Allied Golf Association providing GHIN handicap services, USGA championship qualifiers, and amateur tournaments in northern California. It mirrors HSGA's mission and product portfolio at scale, making it a tight functional comparable.

Broad incumbents

• United States Golf Association (USGA): The USGA is the national governing body of amateur golf and HSGA's parent-equivalent affiliation partner. While not a competitor, it defines the standards, handicap system (GHIN), and championship pathways that HSGA's entire product set depends on, making it the dominant broader ecosystem player.

Regional players

• Aloha Section PGA: The Aloha Section PGA is the PGA of America section covering Hawaii, focused on PGA professionals rather than amateurs. It is HSGA's closest local peer in terms of geography and overlapping tournament activity (e.g., HSGA assists the Sony Open Qualifier and LPGA Lotte Championship).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawaii-state-golf-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Hawaii State Golf Association