WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Building on its success as the premier Pro-Net Tour in the Mid-Atlantic, the Tournament Golf Association of America has released their 2009 schedule and is now available on their updated website (www.tgaatour.com).
As the premiere Pro-Net golf tour in the Mid-Atlantic, the TGAA Tour schedule has a total of 34 events - 29 one-day events and 5 multi-day events - on some of the region's best golf courses. To accommodate a player's work-life balance, the 29 one-day events are all played on either a Saturday or Sunday and will be contested on courses ranked in Golf Styles Washington DC magazine's "Top 100 Must Play Courses in the Mid-Atlantic". The 5 multi-day events include the tour's season-opening 36-hole Tournament of Champions event, three 36-hole majors and the crown jewel of the entire season…the season-ending 54-hole Tour Championship.
Steve Moses, the tour's Chief Operating Officer, offers details about the tour's schedule: "We will have 34 events on our 2009 schedule: 29 one-day events, 4 two-day events and 1 three-day event. Many of our players have families and careers. To help them maintain a balance between the two, all one-day events are contested either on a Saturday or Sunday. We begin our official season in mid-February with our two-day, 36-hole Tournament of Champions event. In April, June and August, we will be conducting the tour's three, two-day 36-hole majors at some of the areas finest courses and resorts (Ford's Colony in Williamsburg, VA - Compass Point in Pasadena, MD - Rocky Gap Resort and Lodge in Cumberland, MD respectively). In October, we will wrap up our official season with the crown jewel of the tour, the TGAA Tour Championship at the Virginia Oaks GC in Gainesville, VA…a P.B. Dye masterpiece. Throughout the season, we will be playing some of the areas greatest courses that are ranked in the Top 100 Must Play Courses in the Mid-Atlantic (according to Golf Styles Magazine)"
Moses adds: "We have controls in place to ensure that the TGAA Tour member or guest thoroughly enjoys their experience. The first is that we adhere to a strict pace of play policy that allows all players to finish their rounds in a timely fashion (typically 4 ½ hours). As a golfer, there is nothing more aggravating than a round that takes 5 or 6 hours…or even longer. The second is that we cap most of our fields at forty-eight (48) players. We find that this size field allows all players, and especially those players in the early groups, to be able to stay, enjoy the company of other TGAA professionals and observe the results as the other groups return their cards. We feel this adds to the overall enjoyment and excitement of tournament golf, as it creates the same experience that a PGA, LPGA, Nationwide or Champions Tour player feels when they are the leader in the clubhouse, waiting patiently and excitedly as the players behind them complete their rounds." Simply put, it allows them to "Experience the Dream!"™
Dennis Baca, President and CEO of the Tournament Golf Association of America, discusses the success of the tour: "This is the 13th season for the TGAA Tour in the Mid-Atlantic. We are very proud of what we have accomplished here in the region and we know we have the business model to replicate our success and bring the TGAA Tour to other areas throughout the country. We are currently in discussions to expand the tour and bring the excitement of competitive, pro-net golf to those avid and aspiring golfers. We have found that it is very important to minimize the cost to the TGAA Tour player while maximizing their experience. Like everyone else, we're keeping a watchful eye on economic conditions, while at the same time positioning the TGAA as the premier Pro-Net Tour in the country. The relationships we have built with the courses over the years have allowed us to play these fine courses and keep costs in check because of our commitment to growing the game. TGAA promotes carpooling and other energy saving programs and our players have responded accordingly. This allows our players to be more environmentally responsible…a TGAA core business value.
Baca continues…"While the National Golf Foundation has shown that the number of rounds played has decreased the past few years, we have actually shown a net increase in rounds played on the TGAA Tour. With each passing season, we have been able to maintain our level membership base, while at the same time, bringing new players to the tour that enjoy playing competitive golf the way it was meant to be played. We have seen many tours come and go throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Many of them have attempted to replicate our (TGAA) business model. There are several factors that have placed us head and shoulders above them all. The use of tournament scores only in generating the TGAA Tour Handicap "Value" (patent pending) is what makes the tour so competitive and consistent. Adherence to the USGA Rules of Golf and oversight by certified tournament directors ensures that the entire field is protected. However, the most important factor is the quality of service to our members and their guests…that along with abiding by a set of standards that are neither subjective nor arbitrary. We include the players through independent Handicap and Players Committees. Everything we do can be statistically proven and has the supporting data and rationale consistent with the governing bodies of this game we love".
About the TGAA Tour:
Since 1996, the TGAA Tour (www.tgaatour.com) has been the premier Pro-Net tour in the Mid-Atlantic. The TGAA Tour is a member organization that offers all golfers the most exciting advancement in competitive golf, regardless of age, gender, skill level or handicap. As a member of the TGAA Tour, you will be personally challenged as you compete against yourself, the course and your handicap. You will enjoy the company of other golf enthusiasts in addition to competing for cash as a TGAA professional or for certificates as an amateur. The events are professionally managed, governed by the USGA Rules of Golf and use a patent pending handicap system developed from TGAA tournament scores only. The goal is to develop and maintain the largest professional golf membership organization providing services for the avid to aspiring golfer - both locally and nationally.
Come…"Experience the Dream"™
For more information on how you can become a partner/sponsor of the TGAA Tour, please email Steven Moses, COO at smoses@tgaatour.com. If you would like to become a franchisee and bring the success of pro-net tournament golf and the TGAA Tour to your area of the country, please contact Dennis M. Baca, CEO at dmbaca@tgaatour.com.
Media Contact for TGAA Tour:
Carol Brooker
SVP, Administration & Communication
703-754-8285 or 800-929-7449
cbrooker@tgaatour.com
www.tgaatour.com
