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GCGA strives to help  area golf prosper

Group stresses the  importance of obtaining  a handicap index

A view to the clubhouse at Beckett Ridge golf course – one of many courses included in the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch A view to the clubhouse at Beckett Ridge golf course – one of many courses included in the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 12:32 PM Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Greater Cincinnati Golf Association has been a driving force in local golf for more than a century.

Founded in 1905, the GCGA is the governing body for more than 100 clubs and about 22,000 golfers in southern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana.

“The vast majority of courses throughout the country belong to an organization,” said John Reis, executive director of the GCGA. “The things that we focus on are tournament administration, handicap administration, course rating and the member club support on a technical basis.

“We consider all of those things equally important,” he added.

Every club pays a minimal fee to join the GCGA, and individuals become members through the purchase of a United States Golf Association-recognized handicap index.

Individual GCGA membership includes men, women, juniors and seniors.

The GCGA annually runs seven USGA qualifiers and numerous local events.

“Once the season gets going in mid-May, more of our attention and interest is in individual tournaments,” Reis said. “When you talk about the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association, serious golfers know about the tournaments, but they may not know we come out and rate their courses and support their clubs.”

Reis stresses the importance of golfers obtaining a handicap index. The GCGA focuses on the GHIN (Golf Handicap  & Information Network) system of  handicapping.

“Golf is a game that prospers because of its rules and tradition, and having the handicap index makes it that much more special,” Reis said. “With the handicap index, everybody can play this game on a level playing field.

“The game of golf for over 300 years has been based on honor and integrity,” he continued. “It’s a gentleman’s game. That’s why it prospers, even in these hard times.”

The GCGA Web site address is www.gcga.org.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194  or rcassano@coxohio.com.

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