Frequently Asked Questions on the Restructuring and Integration of Operations between the AGA and AWGA

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1 Frequently Asked Questions on the Restructuring and Integration of Operations between the AGA and AWGA 1. Why are the AGA and AWGA restructuring their operations into one golf association? Golf has evolved. The AGA and the AWGA were formed over 90 years ago as separate Associations. The time has come for us to evolve too. We are excited about the opportunities to grow and expand golf in Arizona as one, strong, state association that serves men and women. Together we will have more resources to expand our programs and events in new, collaborative and innovative ways. The operational integration of our associations will also accomplish the goals of the USGA s Member Engagement Initiative. 2. What is the USGA Member Engagement Initiative? The USGA is streamlining its working relationships with state golf associations to more successfully serve golfers and the facilities at which they play. Doing so will reduce the number of golf associations with which it contracts to administer USGA Handicaps, run Championship qualifiers and perform course rating as well as other programs, resulting in just one contracted golf association in each geographic area. The USGA Member Engagement Initiative vision is to: Grow engagement among golfers at all skill levels, all types of clubs, and across all demographics; Deliver proven solutions to golf facilities that will contribute to their long-term environmental and economic sustainability; Increase the adoption and usage of the Handicap System as a foundational aspect of the game; Foster innovation through access to insights and analytics that enable stakeholders to develop products and services for golfers; and Create global connections that will standardize and integrate golfer experiences around the world. 3. Why does the USGA want to consolidate the golf associations? There is a broad range of types of Associations across the country. The Member Engagement initiative requires that USGA contracted golf associations serve amateur golf, which includes men and women as well as juniors, and both private and public clubs. By eliminating overlapping services, the USGA seeks to better serve golfers, golf facilities and the game, as well as better use the industry s resources. 4. What is the AWGA s relationship with the USGA today? As of January 1, 2018, the AWGA and the AGA entered into a contract to work together through a temporary collaboration agreement that is leading up to our full integration effective January 1, The official relationship with the USGA is through the AGA and through the referenced collaboration agreement, AWGA staff is contracted with the AGA to provided Handicap Services for AWGA members through December 31, 2018, at which time the full integration will become effective.

2 5. Why is the USGA relationship important to AWGA and its members? Only a golf association with an official affiliation with the USGA is authorized to issue USGA Handicaps through its member clubs. The USGA Handicap is vital to our member s golf games and is the most tangible benefit that golf associations offer. 6. Is the USGA requiring the AWGA to merge with the AGA? No, the USGA is not requiring any association to merge with another association, nor are they requiring us to integrate. But they are limiting the number of associations contracted to issue USGA Handicaps to one per geographic region and that association must serve men and women. Together the AGA and AWGA fit this description. Separately, we do not. Both Associations have agreed that integration is the right decision for our Arizona golf community. 7. Why does the AWGA Board support integration with the AGA? Again, the game of golf is evolving, and the AWGA is excited to evolve with it. The integration will create many synergies which will expand resources for both Associations. Integration makes sense for many of the services that the associations provide, including Course Rating, Handicapping, Rules of Golf, Volunteer Development, Tournament operations, etc. The whole staff, board, and programs are being integrated into the AGA. The AWGA will also retain its separate charitable status to grow women s programs and raise money to support our philanthropic mission. 8. What are the benefits of integrating the operations to the AWGA and the AGA? The consolidated structure will create one governing board for the AGA comprised of men and women. Integrating the operations of the two organizations will result in more opportunities for volunteers to give back to the game, bring communications with Arizona golfers into a central source, give member clubs a single resource to see year-round service and assistance, and provide efficiency of administration and staffing. The leadership of both the AGA and AWGA are excited about the restructuring of the associations and think that the integration will be beneficial to growing the game and providing the membership of both organizations a stronger and more comprehensive range of services, which include a full schedule of championships and tournaments, social and networking events, enhanced member benefits, Handicapping, Course Rating, and state of the art technology resources. Furthermore, the entire membership will have access to value-added benefits including special member discounts and affinity programs. 9. Does the AGA have female members now? Yes, a few, but the AGA has primarily served men historically. 10. Does the AWGA have male members now? Yes, a few, but the AWGA has primarily served women historically.

3 11. What is happening in other states? Every state and regional golf association across the country as evaluated their options, similarly to Arizona. In many states, the men s and women s associations have combined/merged to create one, larger association serving both men and women, public and private clubs. In a few cases, the associations made the decision to remain separate. In these instances, only one association was awarded the USGA contract, and therefore, all the Handicapping revenue. 12. What will the name of the integrated organization be? The integrated association will be called the Arizona Golf Association. 13. Who will serve as the hired leadership of the integrated organization? Ed Gowan, the current AGA Executive Director will remain in that position. Mary Pomroy, the current AWGA Executive Director will retain that role with the AWGA and will also serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the AGA. 14. Who will serve on the Board of Directors of the integrated organization? The initial Board of Directors of the integrated organization will be comprised 60% from the current AGA Executive Committee and 40% from the current AWGA Board of Directors. Both Ed Gowan and Mary Pomroy will serve the integrated Board ex officio. 15. Will the AWGA continue in some respect? What will happen to the AWGA Brand? The AWGA will continue as a non-profit 501c3 foundation. The AWGA s Player Development Programs and other philanthropic initiatives will continue as the focus of the AWGA Foundation, which will be under the direction of current committee members and its own Board of Directors but, will be backed by the staff and additional resources of the AGA. The AWGA Foundation will continue to use its current logo, however, the website awga.org will be re-directed to a newly developed foundation webpage showcasing the programs and events of the foundation. The AWGA will continue to fundraise to support and promote programs that foster a culture of inclusiveness through the game of golf and that focus on personal development, diversity and inclusion, outreach and advocacy. 16. What will happen to the AWGA staff? All AWGA staff will have positions in the integrated association. The AWGA currently has 6 fulltime staff members and one part-time staff member. The AGA currently has 10 full-time staff members and two part-time staff members. Additionally, both associations have USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. Interns. 17. When will the integration of operations take place? The official integration of operations will take place on January 1, However, staff has already started working together to help ensure a smooth transition of services for our members and member clubs.

4 AWGA staff is planning to move into the AGA offices the week of December 10, We will send out reminders to our member clubs informing them of the exact dates. From that point forward, all staff can be contacted at the AGA Administrative Offices at Will all of the events and tournaments that are currently offered by the AWGA continue into the future? Yes! The 2019 tournament calendar is almost complete. Over time, we will also work with to create new events and tournaments that will appeal to a wider audience. 19. Will there be an Annual Meeting? Yes, there will be an AWGA Annual Meeting, but the format has changed. The meeting is officially scheduled for Thursday, January 31, Our plan is to have a lunch meeting at a location in the Phoenix Metro Area. We will offer Rules of Golf Seminars in the morning and in the afternoon. Meeting information will be sent out to all members and member club officers later this fall. 20. Will all of the recognition awards continue, such as Volunteer of the Year, Host Club of the Year, and Player of the Year? Yes, the AWGA and the AGA will collaboratively celebrate the successes of our players and volunteers as well as honor those facilities and individuals that have risen above the rest at the Annual Awards Celebration Dinner on February 21, 2019 at Phoenix Country Club. Celebration information will be available at the end of How will the restructuring and integration affect our club? As a part of our impending integration with the Arizona Golf Association, we agreed to a single fee structure for all golfers and clubs. This resulted in a $5 increase for AWGA member clubs that do not pay their membership fees prior to December 31st for the upcoming year. Subsequently, with the integration, the new USGA contract for the administration of USGA Handicaps Indexes and other services includes significant additional benefits for our member clubs and club members, including to name a few: A free version of the USGA Tournament Management software with training and support for clubs provided by the Integrated AGA Additional Handicap oversight requirements for the Association Additional Rules of Golf educational opportunities for members Upgraded Handicap Administration software for Handicap Committees (coming in the spring of 2019) Our Integration with the AGA will also offer members and member clubs several other additional benefits: A new website with enhanced features for both individuals and clubs

5 A subscription to the AGA magazine AzGolf Insider, mailed four times annually One integrated and centralized place to call or for all of your golf administration needs Access to advanced technology for managing your club and/or your membership Additional value-added benefits including special member discounts and affinity programs will be available to all members, women and men. Opportunities to participate in a wider variety of networking, social, and competitive events 22. Will we keep our current GHIN numbers? If you have an 18 hole GHIN number, you will continue with your same GHIN number. If you have a 9 hole GHIN number, the honest answer is that we don t know for sure, but we believe, these folks will be getting a new GHIN number. If you have an 18 hole GHIN number and a 9 hole GHIN number, you will keep your 18-hole number and you will be able to toggle to your 9-hole handicap index** from the same GHIN#. **(The 9-hole scores should ALREADY be in the 18-hole handicap because you are supposed to post to ALL records each time you play).