IAGA Quick Hits | 6.01.26

It’s Not A Moment, It’s Momentum – National Women In Golf Week

From Alberta Golf

The game of golf has long carried a reputation for exclusivity, often limiting participation for many groups. Today, however, the sport is evolving in remarkable ways thanks to the efforts of organizations, initiatives, industry leaders, and passionate individuals committed to making golf more welcoming and accessible for all.

One of the most impactful initiatives leading that change is Women’s Golf Day, which celebrates its 11th year in 2026. While Women’s Golf Day is officially recognized on May 26, it also serves as part of the broader celebration of National Women in Golf Week — a time dedicated to recognizing the incredible growth of the women’s game and the people helping shape its future.

As part of this celebration, we wanted to highlight just how dramatically the game has changed for the better through initiatives like these, recognize some of the inspiring individuals and organizations driving progress, and showcase the continued efforts being made to grow and support women’s golf at every level.

 

The AJGA honors the Patrick Reed AJGA Junior Championship with 2025 Hospitality Award

From the American Junior Golf Association

The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is proud to recognize the Patrick Reed AJGA Junior Championship as the recipient of the 2025 Hospitality Award, honoring a tournament that provided an outstanding experience for players, families, volunteers and staff throughout tournament week. With this recognition, the event is now tied for the most decorated tournament in AJGA history with 14 total tournament awards.

Held annually in Texas at The Woodlands Country Club, the event stood out for its commitment to hospitality both on and off the golf course. The Team Reed Foundation enhanced the player experience with additional gifts for participants, while tournament host Patrick Reed was actively involved throughout the week. Reed attended the Junior-Am, engaged with players during the tournament week and handed out trophies at the awards ceremony.

“Receiving the 2025 AJGA Hospitality Award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the incredible people who make this event special each year. From our volunteers and sponsors to the AJGA staff and The Woodlands Country Club, everyone involved is committed to creating a first-class experience for junior golfers and their families. We’re proud to help provide an environment that supports, inspires, and prepares the next generation of players.”

 

Golf has $1 billion impact in Iowa

From the Iowa Golf Association

The MGA is pleased to announce a new member benefit – tee time booking through RapidTee Golf. Members can set tee time alerts and book rounds, all through the MyMGA app.

Through this new partnership, all MGA members have the ability to book tee times inside of the MyMGA App. RapidTee also offers a premium tier of their product which includes tee time notifications and an AI tee time assistant to help secure coveted tee times.  All active MGA members receive 20% off the premium tier price.

Benefits of RapidTee Premium include:

• Real-Time Alerts: Get notified the moment a tee time opens up, before anyone else sees it.

• Custom Filters: Set your preferences for course, time, players, and let RapidTee do the searching for you.

• Instant Access: Book tee times others never see – no more missing out on that perfect weekend morning tee time.

MGA members who sign up for RapidTee Premium can play their first round FREE!

 

What Every Minnesota Golfer Has in Common with Tom Lehman

From the Minnesota Golf Association

30 years ago, the number one golfer in the world was Tom Lehman. The Alexandria, Minnesota, native sat atop the golf world, his name freshly etched onto the Claret Jug after winning the 1996 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes — cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats.

That season not only changed Lehman’s life, it put Minnesota on the map as a golf hotbed. This is not to say the golf world was unfamiliar with Minnesota as a “golf state,” but to be home to the top-ranked player in the world and reigning Open Champion cast a new light on our state.

“I think Tom has really done so much to put Minnesota up there and say, ‘This is a recognized golf state,'” says Jim Lehman, Tom’s older brother and a past president of the Minnesota Golf Association. “He’s not only been a major champion and the number one player in the world, but he’s been a Ryder Cup captain, a three-time Ryder Cup player, a three-time President’s Cup player. Six times he was an all-star, so to speak, in the world of golf — and that’s never happened in Minnesota golf.”