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Handicap Committee Report
Communications Committee Report
The Iowa Golf Association kept busy again this year providing lots
of information to golfers around the state. From tournament results,
to USGA updates, to full coverage before, during and following the
Solheim Cup, the IGA continued to be the source for anything ‘golf ’ in
the state of Iowa.
With a new look to the website, revealed earlier in 2017, over 60,000
individuals visited the website itself, viewing almost 400,000 pages
and many more checking in on IGA tournament results, including live
scoring at many of the IGA events. The IGA’s social media footprint,
with following from across the country, continues to grow with over
1,600 likes on Facebook (up from 1,200 a year ago) and just over 2,100
followers on Twitter (up from just under 1,900 a year ago).
The Communication Committee was once again honored to recommend the following recipients
of IGA Annual Awards in the six different categories to the Board of Directors. Those included
the following: 18 and 9-Hole Course of the Year, 18 and 9-Hole Superintendent of the Year, Club
Manager of the Year and Professional of the Year.
To see more about the Annual Award winners turn to page 11-12.
As I’m sure many of you know, the Iowa Golf Association (IGA) and
United States Golf Association (USGA) work hand-in-hand to administer
Handicapping and Course Rating in the IGA region. As a licensed
association we’re responsible for upholding the integrity of both systems
for the golfers of Iowa and that was our mission in 2017.
Last May IGA staff member Katelynn Hogenson and I represented the
IGA at a USGA National Course Rating Calibration Seminar at St. Charles
Country Club in St. Charles, Illinois. As a licensed association this is
required once per rating cycle (2016-2017). The seminar spanned two days
and consisted of an individual test, classroom-style education, graded on-
course rating exercise and assessment review. The purpose of the “calibration” is to do exactly that,
standardize the way courses are rated on a global level.
At the state level we had a quiet year
with 11 full ratings and eight partial.
The IGA has five rating teams and
over 50 volunteers located in various
regions of the state including Panora,
Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Pella and
the Quad Cities. These “raters” prepare
forms, visit clubs, gather measurements,
evaluate obstacles and produce rating
data for the IGA. They are the lifeblood
of the Course Rating System in Iowa
and allow the IGA staff to provide a top-
notch service to clubs and individuals.
In addition to the IGA benefits provided through the Course Rating System, the Handicap System
allows us to connect with thousands of golfers in Iowa and western Illinois through the IGA
Individual Membership program (tracked through GHIN)… 20,304 to be exact! Most individual
members join through their local golf club, but this year we had almost 300 golfers sign up through
our “Join the IGA Online” program. Online memberships have been available for two years and have
grown in popularity by a whopping 157%. We’re very excited to provide a convenient option for our
members and we hope to see continued growth in 2018 and beyond.
If you have any questions about Course Rating or the Handicap System I invite you to contact the
IGA staff in Ankeny. They field numerous inquiries each year on these topics and are happy to assist
in any way possible.
Best wishes for your 2018 season!
USGA Handicap System Changes, 2018-2019
Effective 1/1/18
Reference Document
SECTION 2
Principle: The definition of a golf club is amended to include language where affiliation with any one golf
course, or exhibited frequency or regularity of play at any golf course meets the definition of a Type 1
golf club. The new language provides greater clarity for golf club type classifications.
SECTION 5
Principle: To enhance the integrity of the USGA Handicap System, and to ensure the alternate calculation
of a Handicap Index for players with two or more eligible T-Scores as noted in Section 10-3 is supported,
it is recommended that the Committee in charge of the competition or the Handicap Committee should
post all tournament scores.
SECTION 8
Principle: To differentiate between a golfer who has a temporary injury versus a disability, the term
“disability” was changed to “injury.”
SECTION 11
Principle: To improve operational efficiencies, and protect the integrity of the USGA Handicap System, the
authorized golf associations will have additional responsibilities in the administration oversight of the USGA Handicap
System within its territory.
Decisions
DECISION 2/6.5
Effect of Advertising or Solicitation of Unaffiliated Members on Golf Club Category (REVISED)
DECISION 8-4c/1
Treatment of a Player with a Temporary Injury (REVISED)
DECISION 8-4c/2
Treatment of a Player with a Permanent Injury (REVISED)
Bill Eby
Committee Chair
Tom Newbanks
Committee Chair
St. Charles Country Club in St. Charles, Illinois hosted
the USGA National Course Rating Calibration Seminar.
The image above is of the unique six hole Quarry Course.