Northern Ohio PGA Section

What Northern Ohio PGA Section does

The Northern Ohio PGA Section is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional golf association headquartered in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, with a secondary Toledo chapter office. It is one of 41 chartered sections of the PGA of America and serves PGA professionals, apprentices, and junior golfers across the territory bounded by Ohio's northern and eastern borders and a southern line running from Martins Ferry to Union City, Indiana. The organization is staffed by six employees led by Executive Director David Griffith, with Haleigh Ditto as Director of Junior Golf and Emily Jones as Competitions & Foundation Coordinator. Its wholly-owned 501(c)(3) affiliate, the Northern Ohio PGA Section Foundation, operates its charitable programs.

The Section's core offerings fall into three buckets. (1) Professional tournament programming: the Ohio Open (running since 1921), Ohio Senior Open (since 1986), Section Championships across Regular/Senior/Assistant/Ladies divisions, and a three-division Match Play Championship. (2) Junior development programming: a tiered Junior Tour comprising NextLevel (36-hole), Performance (18-hole), and Futures (9-hole) tiers, plus Drive Chip & Putt, PGA Jr. League, the Junior Ohio Cup inter-sectional team competition, and financial assistance. (3) Foundation programming: PGA HOPE for military veterans, Scholarships & Grants, Clubs Fore Kids, and PGA Works Fellowship. Technology infrastructure is outsourced to the BlueGolf tournament management platform for event scheduling, registration, results, and Player-of-the-Year points tracking; the section does not maintain proprietary technology.

Revenue comes from three streams: recurring PGA membership and associate dues, tiered corporate sponsorships (Diamond $30,000+, Platinum $10,000+, Gold $5,000–$9,999, Silver $1,000–$4,999, plus product sponsors) anchored by PGA Tour, Rolex, Club Car, Fleet Response, Smucker's, and Bridgestone, and transaction-based tournament entry fees. Pledges and donations flow through the Foundation arm via Pledgeit. The Section markets primarily through its website, an Instagram presence (@nohiopga, 6,384 followers), a MailChimp email newsletter, earned-media news articles, and integration with national PGA of America resources.

Name

Northern Ohio PGA Section

Legal name

Northern Ohio PGA Section

Website

https://thenorthernohiopga.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Northern Ohio PGA Section is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional golf association headquartered in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, that organizes tournaments, junior development tours, awards, and foundation programs for PGA professionals and junior golfers across Northern Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Golf Association Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Tours & Professional Circuits (MPAKAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sport-Specific Amateur Leagues & Circuits (Non-Professional) (MPAKACAJ)

Keywords

• Professional golf association
• Junior golf tournaments
• Pga member services
• Golf player development
• Tournament management

Headquarters

HQ city

Warrensville Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

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: Revenue from PGA professional members and associate members through annual membership fees
2. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Tiered sponsorship program with Diamond ($30,000+), Platinum ($10,000+), Gold ($5,000-$9,999), and Silver ($1,000-$4,999) levels, plus product sponsors
3. Tournament Entry Fees: Revenue from junior tour events, professional tournaments, and special events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Northern Ohio PGA Section is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional golf association that organizes competitive tournaments, player development programs, and member services for PGA professionals and junior golfers across Northern Ohio. It runs professional championships (Ohio Open, Ohio Senior Open, Section Championships, Match Play), a multi-tier Junior Tour (NextLevel, Performance, Futures Tours), foundation programs (PGA HOPE, Scholarships, Clubs Fore Kids), and an annual awards program for members.

Product overview

The Northern Ohio PGA Section is a professional golf association that operates as a unified service organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include tournament and competitive programs (Junior Tour with NextLevel/Performance/Futures divisions, Ohio Open, Ohio Senior Open, Section Championships, Match Play Championship), player development initiatives (PGA HOPE, Clubs Fore Kids, Drive Chip & Putt, PGA Jr. League), and member services (awards programs, Hole-in-One Challenge, Fantasy Championship). The Section also manages a Foundation providing scholarships, grants, and financial assistance to junior golfers. The organization uses BlueGolf tournament management software but does not offer a proprietary technology product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Northern Ohio PGA Section Foundation: Charitable arm of Northern Ohio PGA supporting golf development, scholarships, and community programs
• NextLevel Tour
• Performance Tour
• Futures Tour

Products and services

• NextLevel Tour (36-Hole Junior Tour) Competitive 36-hole junior golf championship tour designed for advanced junior golfers seeking elevated competition experience across Northern Ohio.
• Performance Tour (18-Hole Junior Tour) 18-hole developmental junior golf tour focused on player development and tournament experience in a supportive competitive environment.
• Futures Tour (9-Hole Junior Tour) 9-hole introductory junior golf tour providing a fun and supportive introduction to tournament golf for beginners and players of all skill levels.
• Ohio Open Championship Ohio state open golf tournament open to both amateur and professional golfers, organized by the Northern Ohio PGA Section since 1921.
• Ohio Senior Open Championship Ohio state open golf tournament for senior golfers age 50 and up, open to both amateur and professional golfers.
• Section Championships Various section championships including Regular, Senior, Assistant, and Ladies divisions for NOPGA members.
• Match Play Championship Tournament conducted in three divisions: Regular, Apprentice, and Senior, with at least four matches played to determine champions.
• PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Foundation program providing golf instruction and experiences to military veterans and active-duty personnel to aid in rehabilitation and transition.
• Clubs Fore Kids Foundation program providing young golfers with golf instruction, equipment, and opportunities through partnerships with golf facilities.
• Scholarships & Grants Program Foundation program providing financial scholarships and grants to eligible junior golfers and students in Northern Ohio.
• Junior Tour Financial Assistance Program Foundation program providing financial assistance to qualifying juniors to help offset the cost of NOPGA Junior Tour events.
• Hole-in-One Challenge Contest for NOPGA members with prize money paid out at end of tournament season for members who achieve a hole-in-one during sanctioned events.
• Bridgestone Team Fantasy Championship Fantasy golf competition for members to test their golf knowledge and win prizes.
• Big Country Challenge Special golf event organized by the Northern Ohio PGA Section for members.
• Section Awards Program Annual awards program recognizing excellence among PGA professionals including Golf Professional of the Year, Player Development Award, Teacher & Coach of the Year, Assistant of the Year, Patriot Award, and others.
• Hall of Fame Program Recognition program honoring individuals for great contributions to the Northern Ohio PGA Section and PGA of America, established in 1987.
• PGA Membership Services Annual membership program for PGA professionals and associate members in Northern Ohio, providing professional development, MSR credits, networking, tournament eligibility, and career resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Junior golfers gain competitive experience and college recruitment exposure through NOPGA Junior Tour participation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• PGA TourflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond level sponsor ($30,000 & up). PGA Tour is the premier professional golf tour and provides major sponsorship presence for the Northern Ohio PGA Section.
• Club CarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor providing golf car fleet equipment. Contact: Heather Keranko. Major supporter of section events and programs.
• RolexcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Luxury watch brand providing prestigious sponsorship association with the section.
• Bridgestone GolfcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor. Golf ball manufacturer supporting section events. Contact: Michael Connor, PGA.
• The Golf DomecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor. Junior Golf facility. Contact: Matt Creech, PGA. Also sponsor of Player of the Year Points.
• BluegolfcoreTechnology or IntegrationSilver sponsor and technology partner. Provides tournament management platform for event scheduling, registration, results, and member services.
• NCSAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor providing college athletic recruitment services. Helps connect junior golfers with college coaching opportunities.
• Jack-Dieken & AssociatescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor. Financial services firm. Also sponsor of Futures Tour Player of the Year.
• Fleet ResponsecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Fleet management services company supporting section programs.
• GolfTecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor. Golf instruction technology and services provider.
• SmuckerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Food and beverage company supporting section events.
• PepsiCominorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor. Beverage company providing products for section events.
• Trillium Creek DermatologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Healthcare services partner.
• PGA of AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body of the PGA Section. Provides member benefits, education, national events, and organizational framework for all 41 sections including Northern Ohio.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Michigan PGA Section: Neighboring PGA of America section serving Michigan PGA professionals. Runs analogous programming (professional championships, junior tours, foundation, awards) and shares Midwestern golf market dynamics with Northern Ohio.
• Indiana PGA Section: Neighboring PGA section covering Indiana, with territory that even shares a border point with Northern Ohio (Union City, IN). Operates the same section-level tournament, junior development, and foundation structure.
• Southern Ohio PGA Section: The other official PGA of America section covering the southern portion of Ohio. Operates the same model — professional tournaments, junior tours, foundation programs, and tiered sponsorships — and is the natural intra-state counterpart to Northern Ohio PGA.
• Kentucky PGA Section: Adjacent PGA section covering Kentucky. Comparable Midwestern/Southern-border regional section with the same operating model and member-services scope.
• Western New York PGA Section: Regional PGA section covering western New York, adjacent to Northern Ohio's territory. Comparable regional nonprofit PGA section with the same product suite — junior tours, professional championships, awards, and foundation.
• Pennsylvania PGA Section: Adjacent PGA section covering Pennsylvania. Comparable in size and operating model — multi-tier junior tour, state opens, foundation programs, and tiered sponsorships — making it a structurally similar peer.

Others

• United States Golf Association (USGA): National governing body for amateur golf in the U.S. While PGA sections govern professionals, the USGA governs amateur play and administers the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, and handicap system — a related but distinct golf-governance counterpart.

Broad incumbents

• PGA of America: The national governing body that franchises all 41 PGA sections including Northern Ohio. Provides national events (PGA Championship, Ryder Cup), member benefits, and the brand framework under which NOPGA operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/nohiopga
• Facebookfacebook.com/northernohiopga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northern-ohio-pga-section

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Northern Ohio PGA Section