Category Archives: News

Scotland Golf Tours and the IAGA announce a three-year corporate partnership beginning in August 2020.

Formed in 1997, Scotland Tours provides the ultimate vacation planning service dedicated to creating memorable vacations. The company offers a variety of services for visitors to Scotland, Ireland & London, whether on business or leisure.

“We aim is to supply clients with the vacation of a lifetime, supported by professional levels of service and expert local knowledge. We believe in providing value for money and that the process of reserving your vacation should be as easy and efficient as possible.  Whether you are four golfers intending to travel here and play the big-name courses or you are an IAGA member association seeking a first-class experience for your members, e will design and deliver a great trip for you all.” said Ronnie Pook, Managing Director of Scotland Golf Tours.

“The IAGA is excited about our partnership with Scotland Golf Tours.  As associations continue to seek unique, experienced-based member benefits and Scotland Golf Tours certainly provides these opportunities.  It is great to partner with a company that was highly recommended from current members such as the Georgia State Golf Association and the Tennessee Golf Association.” said Bill Walker, Executive Director, IAGA.

Click HERE to access the welcome letter from Scotland Golf Tours.

About Scotland Golf Tours: Click HERE

By Dan Scofield, Assistant Communications Director, Golf Association of Philadelphia

2019 IAGA Distinguished Service Award Recipient – Carr McCalla

Integrity, leadership and passion are words that come to mind when Carr McCalla’s name is brought up. Recipient of the 2019 International Association of Golf Administrators’ Distinguished Service Award now comes to mind, too.

After 24-plus years of service to the game of golf, McCalla, a longtime Louisiana Golf Association Executive Director, will be honored with the IAGA Distinguished Service Award on Nov. 5 at the 2019 IAGA Annual Conference at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa (Monterey, Calif.).

“It’s truly wonderful to be honored by your colleagues at the conclusion of one’s career,” said McCalla. “It’s humbling to receive the Award, and I’m extremely grateful for the Committee’s nomination.”

That impactful career, which includes an endless list of accomplishments, did not begin on grass but instead on a hardwood court. He spent time on the basketball coaching staffs at the University of Tennessee (1974-1976), University of New Orleans (1976-77), Marshall University (1977-78), and Murray State University (1978-79), before becoming Head Coach (1979-85) and Director of Athletics (1985-94) at Motlow (TN) College in Tullahoma, Tenn. It was during the summer of 1992 when McCalla’s golfing interest blossomed. His time spent with the Tennessee Golf Association as a P.J. Boatwright Intern sparked a new-found career path.

“That was right around the time when the USGA began the Boatwright internship funding. To make a long story short, I became a three-month intern and the stars all aligned for me. That was my initial foray into golf administration, and the experience and networking opportunities I got during my time with the TGA were invaluable,” said McCalla, 67, of Lafayette, La.

After his coaching and athletic administration career came to a close at the end of 1995, his devotion to the game of golf began. For the first seven years of his tenure with the LGA, McCalla was the only full-time staff member, administering handicapping services, course rating services, and Championships with the help of an intern and a small cadre of volunteers.

“It was the perfect fit. At the time, the LGA didn’t have experience with a full-time staff member, while I didn’t have any full-time experience in golf,” said McCalla. “I was very fortunate to get the opportunity, and obviously now looking back on it, I’m glad I got that chance.”

Golf in the state of Louisiana, and all over the nation for that matter, benefited because of that chance. In order to further ensure its growth potential under McCalla, the LGA expanded its staff in 2001 with the hiring of a full-time Director of Member Services, and again in 2011 with the hiring of a full-time Director of Championship Operations. In addition to improving the manner in which all LGA Championships were conducted, he was intent on significantly improving benefits to all LGA members, not just the small percentage that compete in LGA events.

“Just the overall growth of the organization, really. That’s what I’m most proud of,” said McCalla. “When I first began, we didn’t have any individual membership. We had to convince our board that we needed to get into the handicapping business, and that was a big step for us. We wanted to do so much at the beginning, and it took us a little while to see the progress, but it became apparent soon after that we were headed in the right direction. ”

McCalla retired as Executive Director at the end of 2017 after 22-plus years of service. He continues to be involved with the organization as a Senior Advisor, helping in any role needed. His successor, Logan Ray, says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the guidance of McCalla, his mentor.

“Carr has set an example for me that is invaluable. He has been so influential for me not only in the office, but also in life,” said Ray. “Carr forged a new direction for the LGA and took the organization to new heights. Working under him, and with him, has been one of my best career experiences to date.”

According to Ray, McCalla’s accomplishments are even more impressive considering the integrity he displayed every single day, whether on the course or in the office.

“He was in this game for all the right reasons. Every day, I strive to live up to the bar and reputation for the LGA that he has set. Carr once told me that if you make decisions for the good of the game and do the right thing then the rest will take care of itself. That’s what he prides himself on, and he is well respected for it,” said Ray.

Outside of his unforgettable work with the LGA, McCalla made an impact nationally with his rules expertise. His appointment to the USGA Rules of Golf Committee (2000-2004) speaks to that fact. Additionally, McCalla served on Rules Committees at over 40 USGA Championships, including 16 U.S. Open Championships, in addition to four Master’s Tournaments (2000-2003).

But the contributions didn’t stop with the Rules book. McCalla served on Committees for both the USGA’s Regional Associations and Bob Jones Award, in addition to the IAGA Board of Directors from 1999-2007. He served as the IAGA President in 2005 – a presidency still remembered to this day.

“It was always about the example that he set for board members coming behind him. He was very dedicated to the IAGA board and to doing a great job. Carr exemplified one of the finest benefits of belonging to the IAGA, and that was his openness and approachability for new people coming into the organization,” said current IAGA President Mary Pomroy. “He was always ready to share his knowledge, experience, and often his questions as well. He always made me think. That’s a good leader.”

McCalla’s name being included among the IAGA Distinguished Serve Award recipients is one of the final touches on a career whose influence reached golfers everywhere, and for the better.

“I know there are some tremendous individuals on the list of [IAGA Distinguished Service Awards] winners. My initial response is my name isn’t worthy of being among them, and really, it’s an unbelievable honor,” said McCalla.

The International Association of Golf Administrators’ Distinguished Service Award is the Association’s highest honor. It was established to recognize individuals or groups whose actions have fostered the IAGA objectives as stated in its by-laws, “to promote and conserve the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions.” The selection criteria includes, but is not limited to, the demonstration of superior or innovative administrative abilities, excellence in information exchange, and dialogue between golf administrators and golf organizations.

Golfshot can provide regional golf associations and their members with an integrated and customized solution that comes with being GHIN compatible to enable online or in-app club memberships to obtain a Handicap Index. Existing members can directly link their current Handicap Index® to Golfshot for easy score posting and tracking. With over 1 million members in the U.S. alone and nearly 5 million worldwide, Golfshot provides access to a ready-to-golf, global audience.

By working with the IAGA, Golfshot can provide this integration to make mobile a new channel and revenue stream for golf associations and clubs. Currently, the Northern California Golf Association, Southern California Golf Association, Washington State Golf Association, Texas Golf Association, and Arizona Golf Association partner with Golfshot to grow memberships, provide new value, and leverage golfer and course data for effective digital and mobile marketing

“Golfshot is excited to continue our partnership with the IAGA to support our existing and future golf association partners by providing a unique blend of technology, data, and knowhow to help grow club memberships. We look forward to being the mobile medium that connects golfers to associations in an effort to help grow the game on a national and worldwide basis. .” said Alex Flores, EVP and General Manager,Golfshot.

“The IAGA is excited to continue our partnership with Golfshot. IAGA members are striving to provide increased engagement and enhanced benefits to their association members. Golfshot has a great golf app and technology solution that will accomplish both of those goals.” said Bill Walker, Executive Director, IAGA.

Golfshot will be in attendance at the 2019 IAGA Annual Conference for partnership discussions and informational meetings. For more information on how to partner with Golfshot now, please contact Alex Flores.

About Golfshot
Golfshot, a Shotzoom Software business, has been reinventing the way golfers use mobile technology to improve and play their best golf since 2008. Golfshot powers the world’s largest digital golf community of over 4.5 million members through a family of mobile golf applications including the #1 golf GPS app Golfshot: Golf GPS, Golfshot Plus, Golfplan and our latest addition of Golfscape AR – a 360-degree augmented reality view of the entire course using your device’s iPhone’s camera. Golfers get real-time distances, scoring, statistics, and custom app integrations with Apple Watch, Android Wear watches, and Bose Frames.

In cooperation with the IAGA and its 700+ golf administrator members, Golfweek will have the opportunity to partner directly with member associations to write compelling content for Golfweek.com and its magazine, distribute email newsletters, offer digital and print subscriptions and create opportunities to grow membership. At a national level, Golfweek and the IAGA will work together to share learnings, develop more effective growth strategies and create new events for member organizations.

“We are truly excited to work with the IAGA and its members to help better meet their goals,” said Patrick Leahy, Associate Publisher of Golfweek and Vice President of Revenue for USA TODAY Golf. “By providing customized content for individual Associations and unique benefits that appeal to serious golfers, we will bring the full power of our Golfweek/USA TODAY Golf Platform to tens of thousands of golfers across the country. We also will offer brands the opportunity to reach this audience with tremendous scale and effectiveness.”

“The IAGA is thrilled to partner with a golf industry media leader such as Golfweek,” said IAGA Executive Director, Bill Walker. “Our 80 plus member associations continually strive to provide enhanced member benefits to grow the game in their respective regions.  Golfweek shares the same passion and wants to work hand in hand with member associations to provide enhanced content and value to amateur golfers.”