Houston Amateur Golf Association - New Member Qualification Change

At our Board Meeting on August 12, 2008, the Board voted on and passed a change to the process in which new HAGA members (aka – Special Flight players) can obtain their required 5 rounds with the organization, and thus their handicap. Prior to last night’s meeting, a new HAGA player must have played in 5 HAGA tournaments before receiving their handicap and becoming a full member of the organization. While this is a time-tested method for our organization, it is somewhat of a “drawn out process” for the new players.

The change that was voted on and passed at the last meeting is as follows:

Any new HAGA player (aka – Special Flight player) may obtain the scores for his 4th and 5th rounds toward membership and an established handicap by playing a round(s) of golf outside a HAGA Tournament or event provided these rounds are played with a current HAGA Board Member. The Handicap Chairman must be made aware of any of the non-HAGA event rounds prior to being played and the scorecards for these rounds must be signed by the player and the HAGA Board Member.

Players will still be required to play in 3 HAGA Tournaments before being allowed to play the 4th and 5th rounds outside the organization to establish their handicap and be considered for membership. Also, players will still be required to play in six (6) TOURNAMENT rounds before being allowed to participate in the HAGA Club Championship. Any non-HAGA rounds played by a new HAGA member prior to the Memorial Tournament will be reviewed “case by case” for consideration for participation in the Memorial Tournament. You can find the list of players currently qualified for the Club Championship on the CC qualifier page.

If you are a new member and would like to expedite the time in which you become a HAGA member, a list of Board Members can be found on the Board Members page.

The reason for this change is two-fold. One, the Board feels the faster Special Flight players have the opportunity to participate in the regular flighted competitions, the more players we will retain as long-term members. Each year, we have a few new members that stop playing with the HAGA after their first 3-4 rounds. We feel this may be due to the 2½ months it takes to become a member. Second, the change is in response to our new policy allowing HAGA members to turn in outside or “away” scores for their handicap. This policy should be made available to new members as well, but with the limitations expressed above.

If you have any comments or questions concerning this change, please feel free to contact David Phillips (haga-dp@hotmail.com) or Cliff Brooks (cliffbrooks@pdq.net).