Written by IAGA

IAGA Welcomes Santana Shipley as Community Operations Manager

 

 

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Santana Shipley as the new Community Operations Manager, a pivotal role aimed at enhancing the association’s effectiveness and its support for Allied Golf Associations. With a rich background in golf administration, Shipley comes from Indiana Golf, where she excelled as the Communications and Marketing Manager. Her tenure at Indiana Golf endowed her with a robust skill set and deep insights into the golf community, making her an ideal fit for this innovative position within the IAGA.

Enhancing IAGA’s Impact

Shipley emphasizes the importance of this role in elevating the IAGA’s support for its members and advancing golf.

“This role will substantially enhance the IAGA’s effectiveness and impact in serving our members and advancing the sport of golf on a global scale,” Shipley remarked, underlining her commitment to the association’s mission. “I’m excited to bring my experience from Indiana Golf to the IAGA, where I can contribute to enriching opportunities for our allied golf associations, thereby enhancing the overall experience for all IAGA members.”

 

A Foundation Built on Experience

Shipley’s journey in golf administration began at Indiana Golf, where she was instrumental in managing communications, marketing, and membership engagement for various entities under the Indiana Golf umbrella. Her experience in creating newsletters, managing social media and websites, and leading advertising efforts has equipped her with the necessary skills to foster community engagement and collaboration within the IAGA.

Vision for the Future

Upon stepping into her new role, Shipley’s initial goals include establishing strong relationships within the IAGA community and identifying specific needs to serve as an effective resource for all members. “Some of my initial goals for the first few months will include establishing my relationship with the entire IAGA community, identifying their specific needs, and formulating the best strategy to effectively serve as a resource for all our members,” Shipley shared.

“We are delighted to welcome Santana to the IAGA team,” Bill Walker, Executive Director of the IAGA, said. “Her extensive experience and innovative approach to golf administration will be instrumental in driving our mission forward. Santana’s dedication to enhancing community engagement and her strategic vision for the future align perfectly with our goals at the IAGA.”

About Santana

Santana Shipley, originally from Upland, Indiana, holds both an undergraduate and masters degree from Ball State University, focusing on Marketing and Sport Administration. Her passion for golf began in high school, eventually shaping her professional path in golf administration. Shipley’s dedication to the sport and her extensive experience in communication and marketing within the golf sector positions her as a key asset to the IAGA team.

About the IAGA

The IAGA, established in 1968, serves as a medium for golf administrators to exchange information and establish communication channels among the world’s golfing organizations. Its mission is to advance the game of golf and support those who play it, through a membership comprising golf administrators from various golf associations across North America and beyond.

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Written by IAGA

Mahoney Elected as the 53rd President of the International Association of Golf Administrators

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) welcomed 67 golf associations, 29 partner companies, and over 350 individuals who participated in its annual Conference, sponsored by Golf Genius. The event unfolded at The Westin Stonebriar Dallas Golf Resort and Spa from November 5-8, offering a dynamic blend of education and networking opportunities.

Throughout the four-day conference, attendees engaged in peer-to-peer exchanges and shared industry best practices. “Collaboration and learning from others is more important now than ever in the golf industry, and we were thrilled to provide a platform for our members to network and engage. A special thank you goes out to our attendees, speakers, and sponsors who made this our biggest and best event to date,” expressed IAGA Executive Director Bill Walker.

At the Annual Business Meeting, Brian Mahoney, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Golf Association, was announced as the association’s president.

 

Mahoney has served on the IAGA Board of Directors since 2019. He began his career in golf administration as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern with the MGA in 2001 and joined the IAGA in 2005. He’s held the role of executive director since 2017; previously he was the managing director of Rules, competitions, and GHIN services. Mahoney is a member of the AGA/USGA Strategic Planning Committee, and helped launch the IAGA Partnership Committee, which he led as chair until 2022. His passion for serving the game is evident and has been a part the Mahoney family culture for more than 40 years as his grandfather, Jerry Mahoney, was the MGA’s executive director from 1980-1981 and later served as the MGA’s director of golf programs.

“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I accept the nomination to become the 53rd president of the IAGA. I am humbled by the confidence that the Board, the Nominating Committee, and all of the IAGA has placed in me. I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of two of my mentors and former IAGA presidents from the MGA, Gene Westmoreland and Jay Mottola, and I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues from throughout the world on growing the IAGA community, our services, and strengthening relationships throughout our industry.”

Joining Mahoney on the Executive Committee of the IAGA in 2024 are Rob Jansen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Golf Association (Vice President), Stacy Dennis, Executive Director of the Texas Golf Association (Secretary/Treasurer), and Matt Vanderpool, CEO of the Georgia State Golf Association.

The IAGA is delighted to welcome Cat Carmignani, Jeff Magaditsch, and Rick Rangel as at-large members of the IAGA Board of Directors. Click HERE to learn more about Cat, Jeff, and Rick.

Below is the complete listing of the IAGA Board of Directors:
● Brian Mahoney, President (Metropolitan Golf Association)
● Rob Jansen, Vice President (Wisconsin State Golf Association)
● Stacy Dennis, Secretary/Treasurer (Texas Golf Association)
● Matt Vanderpool, Immediate Past President (Georgia State Golf Association)
● Jean-Pierre Beaulieu, Director At Large (Golf Quebec)
● Cat Carmignani, Director At Large (Mass Golf)
● Jeff Magaditsch, Director At Large (Florida State Golf Association)
● Kevin O’Connor, Director At Large (Southern California Golf Association)
● Rick Rangel, Director At Large (Oregon Golf Association)

About the IAGA
The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), established in 1968, is the industry trade organization committed to advancing the game of golf and serving those who play it by representing and developing golf’s leaders. With a membership of over 80 golf associations, representing more than 800 industry professionals and serving nearly 3 million golfers across North America, the IAGA provides educational, networking, and business resources to further its member organizations.

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Written by IAGA

Donald Ross Sportswear Becomes a Corporate Partner of the IAGA

 

Donald Ross Sportswear, a leading golf apparel company founded in 2008 and the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), announced an official partnership today. Under the agreement, Donald Ross will provide attire for all competitors in IAGA Championship as part of the IAGA Annual Conference Sponsored by Golf Genius in Frisco, TX, on Nov. 5-8.

 

We are looking forward to our partnership with the IAGA, and engaging with golfers everywhere who love the game as much as we do.”  

 

Donald Ross’ apparel embodies the country club lifestyle, yet has versatility to fit your everyday needs and is crafted for golfers who desire comfort, quality and timeless performance apparel. Their fabrics are sourced to make golf more enjoyable in a variety of climates with wind protection, water protection, wicking power and warmth retention built into their clothing.

 

“We are excited to partner with Donald Ross Sportswear.  They have fantastic apparel lines for both men and women and they are already working with a number of our member associations throughout North America. We look forward to having the Donald Ross team onsite for our conference in November to network with our members.”

 

About Donald Ross Sportswear

 

Experience the perfect blend of style and functionality with best in class product offering from Donald Ross Sportswear. Crafted for the perfect game our apparel uses carefully selected luxury performance yarns that are suitable for golf and beyond. Choose between contemporary takes on traditional styles with our Classic line, or an updated athletic fit in our SPORT designs. With our handsome offering of styles in unique prints and colorways, Donald Ross has something that you are sure to love. 

 

About the International Association of Golf Administrators

 

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) is a non-profit organization that represents golf administrators from around the world. The organization is dedicated to promoting the game of golf and increasing participation at all levels.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Bill Walker

IAGA Executive Director

Email: bwalker@iaga.org

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Written by IAGA

Carmignani, Magaditsch, and Rangel join the IAGA Board of Directors

 

 

Cat Carmignani (Mass Golf, Assistant Executive Director)

Below is a story from massgolf.org published on October 14, 2022

Carmignani, a native of Dudley, has been with Mass Golf since 2019 serving as Director of Communications & Marketing. In this new role, Carmignani will collaborate with Menachem in Mass Golf’s administration, external relations and strategic plan. In addition to overseeing the operation of First Tee Massachusetts and the Marketing & Communications Department, she will also focus on external relations and development and fundraising activities to support the organization’s charitable efforts.

“This is a natural progression of growth since our merger in 2018,” Menachem said. “Our staff has grown, and our programs and services have grown. For this role, Catherine and I will be able to split up some of the responsibilities, as she’ll be able to be focus on our philanthropic endeavors and junior golf development, tying our brands together and making our community aware of the significance of Mass Golf. I’m excited for her to help champion all of these things.”

As Director of Communications & Marketing, Carmignani has been a leader in transforming the Mass Golf brand with a focus on community engagement. She helped craft the organization’s mission statement: “Advancing the game of golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged community around the sport.”

Carmignani has also expanded longstanding partnerships with Titleist and FootJoy — both Patrons of Mass Golf — and introduced member benefits through new partnerships with Sponsors of Mass Golf, such as Delta Air Lines, KOHR Golf, Arbella Insurance Group, and Golfzon.

As part of the creation of Mass Golf’s strategic plan initiative, Carmignani has also played a key role in promoting the game for women, creating content pieces designed specifically with female golfers in mind, and producing a monthly digital newsletter — The Up & Down — that is sent to all female members of Mass Golf. She has also taken a leading role in the organization’s Equity Change Team to build a stronger culture within the association in collaboration with the organization’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

“It means the world to me to have the support of Jesse and the Board of Directors, along with our staff, as I transition into this new role,” Carmignani said. “Their confidence and shared vision in this next chapter at Mass Golf positions us for even greater success long-term. We’ve done something very special here with the brand these last few years, and I am humbled to serve alongside Jesse in our further pursuit of growth, expansion and development of Mass Golf.”

Jeff Magaditsch

Below is a story from fsga.org published on November 20, 2020

The Florida State Golf Association has named Jeff Magaditsch as the Association’s new Executive Director, beginning January. Magaditsch will become the fourth executive director in the 107-year history of the organization, after serving as the Assistant Executive Director for the last year.

The Executive Director is the senior staff member of the FSGA, responsible for managing all aspects of the Association’s day-to-day operations. In this role, the Executive Director oversees the core functions, essential programs, and human and financial resources of the Association to further its stated mission.

“I am honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Director of the Florida State Golf Association,” Magaditsch said. “I have been fortunate to have some unbelievable mentors during my time with the FSGA and I am excited to start this next chapter in my life.”

Magaditsch succeeds Jim Demick, who will be retiring after 24 years with the FSGA. A native Floridian, Demick joined the FSGA as the Executive Director in 1997. During his tenure, the organization grew into the largest and most active golf association in the country.

Demick will remain a part of the FSGA family, serving as an adviser to the Association and as President of the FSGA Foundation.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of the FSGA,” Demick said. “I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible members of our staff and hundreds of wonderful volunteers. It’s also been great to watch our junior golfers grow up and become successful on and off the golf course. I look forward to watching the FSGA’s continued success and Jeff and the team will do a fantastic job.”

Magaditsch, 38, joined the FSGA in July 2007 as a Tournament Director. He was promoted to the Director of Tournament Operations in 2017 and served in that capacity until his promotion to Assistant Executive Director in 2019.

Born and raised in Florida, golf became a part of Magaditsch’s life when he was 14 years old, as he watched Tiger Woods emerge on the scene. He has worked in the golf business since he was 15 years old and been involved with the FSGA since he was a teenager.

He graduated from the University of South Florida with a Business Administration degree in Marketing. Magaditsch and his wife, Jasmine, have two sons.

The FSGA’s Executive Committee was re-elected to a second term, with Kevin Hammer continuing to serve as the President. Tony Capano was re-elected as Vice President, with Moe Gallant as Secretary/Treasurer. Tara Joy-Connelly and Mike Miller were all re-elected as Directors-at-Large, while Brian Keenan was elected to his first term. Steve Carter will continue to serve as the Immediate Past President.

Members elected to the Board of Directors include: Steve Albright, Jeronimo Esteve, Meghan Stasi, Will Sprague, Randy Briggs, Sisi Hedges, Jan Phillips and Joe Small.

The election of Officers and the Board of Directors occurred on November 19 during the Association’s Annual Meeting via a virtual conference call.

During this unprecedented year, the FSGA conducted over 450 days of competitions and continued services to its member clubs around the state and the golfers of Florida.

The FSGA is a non-profit organization formed in 1913 to promote, protect and preserve the game of golf.

Rick Rangel

Below is a story from thepnga.org published on June 15, 2022

 

Rick Rangel will serve as the Oregon Golf Association’s Chief Executive Officer, the OGA’s Executive Committee recently announced. Rangel, 41, replaces outgoing CEO Barb Trammell, who retired after serving in the role since 2007.

Rick Rangel
Rangel spent the last 11 years at the Northern California Golf Association in roles of increasing responsibility overseeing the organization’s membership and growth initiatives.

“Barb Trammell has left a foundation of sustainable success, and I am honored to follow in her footsteps,” Rangel said. “I would like to thank the executive committee for the opportunity to embark on carrying on the rich history of the OGA. I look forward to growing the game and supporting the OGA vision of enriching lifestyles through golf within the communities we serve.”

Rangel most recently served as the NCGA’s Director of Growth, where he comprehensively managed member engagement, acquisition, and retention programs. Additionally, he oversaw all forward-facing communications, revenue-generating marketing, advertising, sales, and membership growth.

Rangel’s expertise with consumer insights and application of data-driven key performance indicators across various channels helped the NCGA reverse a 16-year membership decline. He is well-versed in brand and agency management, spanning business-to-consumer, business-to-business, e-commerce, and Software as a Service industries within the golf landscape and allied golf association community.

“We were fortunate to have a deep pool of very qualified candidates interested in this position,” said Jeff Allen, President of the OGA Executive Committee. “We are thrilled to name Rick as our next CEO. The search committee was very impressed with his industry knowledge, business background, leadership style and enthusiasm for the job.”

A seasoned team leader, Rangel fostered cross-departmental relationships to help maximize engagement and participation across the NCGA’s rules and competition, handicap, membership, and customer service teams.

Skilled in database system management and integrations, Rangel has enhanced the association’s efficiency by sourcing and implementing a new CRM platform that unifies customer service, communications, marketing, and sales functions.

Rangel’s impact on the industry goes beyond his work with the NCGA. He spearheaded the implementation of an Association Management System for the NCGA that the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) later adopted. In addition, Rangel is also a key member of the USGA-AGA Club Task Force.

Prior to his time with the NCGA, he worked in the banking industry at JP Morgan Chase, where he held both banking and financial advisor roles.

Rangel, who graduated from Purdue University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, will begin his new role on July 11. He and his wife, Jenna, are parents to twins, Sienna Marie and Sofia Raquel.

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Written by IAGA

Jamie Conkling Honored with Prestigious IAGA Distinguished Service Award

(Broomall, PA – September 19, 2023) The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) is delighted to announce that Jamie Conkling will receive the esteemed IAGA Distinguished Service Award. The award presentation will be a highlight of the IAGA Annual Conference, sponsored by Golf Genius, taking place on Tuesday, November 7, at The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort and Spa in Frisco, Texas.

Jamie Conkling, who served as the Executive Director of the Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) from 2006 until his retirement in January 2019, is being recognized for his remarkable contributions to the golf industry, the organizations he served, and the broader IAGA community.

Troy Andrew, Immediate Past President of the IAGA and CEO/Executive Director of Washington Golf, who led the Nominating Committee, expressed the association’s excitement, stating, “The IAGA is thrilled to acknowledge Jamie for his outstanding contributions and impact on the golf industry, the organizations he has served, and the IAGA community. Each year, our committee faces the rewarding challenge of recommending the recipient of this award from among numerous deserving candidates within the IAGA community.”

During his tenure with the VSGA, Jamie Conkling achieved significant milestones, including expanding membership options, launching programs such as eClubs and the Junior Golf Circuit, and increasing the number of competitions for men, women, and juniors. He also made outreach efforts to golf clubs and enthusiasts across the state, worked with then-VSGA President Gib Palmer to establish the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, and contributed to the growth of the VSGA VIP Golf card, benefiting the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation. The VSGA also integrated the former VSGA Women’s Division into its governance structure and added several female members to its Board of Directors. Additionally, Conkling was instrumental in finding a home for the VSGA and worked with his staff and executive committee to locate a lot and build a 6,000-square-foot headquarters, which it has proudly owned since 2015.

Gib Palmer, past VSGA President and Joe Dey Award Recipient, emphasized Conkling’s impact on the VSGA: “Perhaps Jamie’s most important and lasting legacy is the staff he built during his tenure. He did a fantastic job of recruiting and hiring the right people and then creating and fostering a culture to support all the stakeholders in Virginia Golf.”

Matt Smiley, VSGA Executive Director, added a personal touch to the accolades: “Personally, Jamie is a mentor and friend, and anyone who worked with him would likely say the same. He instilled a culture of professionalism and a mentality to not be afraid to try new things—even if you failed. He plays a part in our success as an association even to this day—five years after his retirement.”

Kevin Heaney, retired Executive Director of the Southern California Golf Association and Past President of the IAGA, praised Conkling’s influence: “I valued his insight and found myself constantly bouncing thoughts and ideas off of him to gain insightful feedback. I was not alone in that regard, as many others in the IAGA membership looked to Jamie for his input.”

Jamie Conkling’s journey in golf administration began in 1991 as an intern with the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) after approximately five years working on Wall Street. He later served in various roles, including Assistant Director of Rules and Competitions and Director of Rules and Competitions at the Southern California Golf Association. In 1999, Conkling joined the PGA TOUR as a Tournament Official before assuming the position of Executive Director of the VSGA in 2006.

About the IAGA Distinguished Service Award

The IAGA Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant positive impact on their golf community, locally, regionally, and nationally. Awardees exemplify professionalism, demonstrating leadership, innovation, mentorship, and dedicated service to the industry. They also excel in communication and collaborative efforts for the betterment of the game.

To view past recipients of the IAGA Distinguished Service Award, click HERE.

About the IAGA

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), established in 1968, is the industry trade organization committed to advancing the game of golf and serving those who play it by representing and developing golf’s leaders. With a membership of over 80 golf associations, representing nearly 800 industry professionals and serving nearly 3 million golfers across North America, the IAGA provides educational, networking, and business resources to further its member organizations.

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Written by IAGA

SCGA – FORE Youth

The FORE Youth 2023 U.S. Open Community Legacy campaign (https://foreyouth.org/) was the primary focus of marketing efforts in and around the U.S. Open. The SCGA, in collaboration with the USGA and The Los Angeles Country Club, launched a campaign to create a community legacy for underserved and underrepresented youth in the SoCal region. PGA Tour Pro Collin Morikawa serves as the honorary chair in the hopes of increasing access to youth programs resulting in a long-lasting impact on his hometown region. The campaign was announced via a press release on March 30, 2023.

The integrated plan supporting the FORE Youth campaign focused on owned and earned media to get the word out about the campaign and shine a light on the efforts the SCGA and SCGA Junior Golf Foundation continue to make in support of junior golf in the region. Below is a brief overview of the various executions in support of the campaign. A library of all the below activity can be found on the campaign media page (foreyouth.org/media)

OWNED
FORE Magazine – Editorial features and full-page advertising placement
Digital Media – Content and advertising placements in SCGA News, FORE Her, and eRevision
Social Media – Video storytelling highlighting JCGA Junior programming and how it will be benefitted from support from this campaign

EARNED
Radio – Interviews with SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Executive Director on three SoCal sports radio stations, including the two largest in the Los Angeles market
Legislative Statements – Program announcement from LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell
Television – Story coverage on four local news stations and the Golf Channel
Print – Story coverage in local newspapers and national golf publications

For more information on any of the programs executed as part of this campaign, feel free to reach out to Jason Knybel (jknybel@scga.org).

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Written by IAGA

US Open – Social Best Practices from the USGA

Our friends at the USGA had a fantastic US Open a couple of weeks ago at Los Angeles Country Club, so we wanted to check in with them to share some best practices around their social media coverage for this year’s event.

Julia Pine, Senior Director of Championship Communications shared some notes from this year’s strategy:

  • We tried to prioritize quality over quantity for social posting. We posted 11% less than in 2022 but saw 150% more engagement
  • We leaned heavily on collab posting on Instagram, collabing with the PGA TOUR, specific players, DP World Tour… really whatever made sense. Engagement on collab posts heavily outpaced non-collab posts.
  • Once balls were in the air (Thurs-Sun), we decreased storytelling, and focused on the action, heavily prioritizing highlights and press conference footage
  • We increased our ASMR efforts, seeing high engagement with posts focused on natural sounds.

These tips are great ideas for IAGA member associations to implement in their championships this summer.

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Golf Ontario – Canadian Open

Golf Ontario’s Chief Marketing Officer, Nick Taylor talked with us about how he used the Canadian Open as a way to highlight the many connections between the event and Golf Ontario.

Nick and his team obtained media credentials for this year’s event to highlight the 11 Ontario natives among the 21 Canadians that were in the field. The team wrote three articles on the competitors, ensuring they mentioned the clubs they were from (their core customer group).

Nick and his team were also able to leverage a partnership with Golf Talk Canada to appear live on TSN’s TV broadcast to discuss their new member acquisition campaign and fundraising department.

See the link below for the segment on Golf Talk Canada.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NISLb0FjhaE

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Written by IAGA

Golf Space Collective and IAGA Announce Partnership 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Golf Space Collective (GSC), a leading provider of golf marketing solutions, and the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) announced an official partnership today. Under the agreement, GSC will offer discounted digital marketing services to all IAGA member associations and assist the IAGA with its missions of serving its member associations.

This partnership will provide IAGA members with access to a wide range of marketing services, including digital advertising, social media management, email marketing, CRM management, content creation, and more.

“The IAGA and its member associations are at the core of what the game of golf is all about,” said Preston McClellan, Managing Partner for Golf Space Collective. “We couldn’t be more excited to get further involved.”

The International Association of Golf Administrators is a non-profit organization that represents golf administrators. The organization is dedicated to promoting the game of golf and increasing participation at all levels.

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with the Golf Space Collective.  We have had a great experience working with GSC internally on IAGA specific initiatives and see this partnership as a win-win,” said Bill Walker, Executive Director of the IAGA. “Their expertise in golf marketing will be a valuable asset to our members, and we look forward to working with them to promote the game of golf and increase participation at all levels.”

GSC currently works with the Texas Golf Association, the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, Southern Nevada Golf Association and has done projects with the Southern California Golf Association, Golf Ontario, and other IAGA member associations.

“Joining forces with Golf Space Collective was one of the best decisions we’ve made,” said Stacy Dennis, Executive Director of the Texas Golf Association. “Preston, Micah, and their talented team made an impact from Day One. The depth of their technical experience and innovative ideas have made all of our marketing efforts more effective. It’s been a great partnership. I recommend them to any organization looking to grow its brand and membership.”

“We’ve been working with Preston and the team at GSC for over a year now, and we love how simple the process is,” Colin McGuire, Executive Director of the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, said. “Whether it’s design, editing, strategy, or something else, we always appreciate how easy it is to work with the team and get real, actionable results.”

About Golf Space Collective

Golf Space Collective is the industry’s first full-service digital marketing agency focused only on golf. Founded by three lifelong golfers turned marketing experts, GSC helps golf courses, golf associations, and golf-related businesses increase their visibility, reach their target audience, and generate more revenue. GSC’s services include digital advertising, social media management, and content creation.

About International Association of Golf Administrators

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) is a non-profit organization that represents golf administrators from around the world. The organization is dedicated to promoting the game of golf and increasing participation at all levels.

For more information, please contact:

Preston McClellan
Golf Space Collective
Email: preston@golfspacecollective.com

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GSGA Sees Large Increase in Online Auction Contributions with Use of TravelPledge

 

The Georgia State Golf Association recently held its third annual online auction to raise money for its Foundation. The GSGA solicited its clubs to donate rounds of golf and also auctioned several unique travel experiences.

TravelPledge Auctions provided the GSGA with proven, feature-packed auction software that is free for verified 501(c)(3) organizations. TravelPledge presented at last year’s IAGA Conference. In addition to the GSGA, the free auction software is also used by Youth on Course to run their national auction as well as Payne Stewart, AJGA, US Kids, and several other large golf organizations.

(Below is an example of what the platform looks like)

The GSGA increased its net dollars raised in 2023 to just over $80,000–approximately $40,000 was raised in 2021 and $60,000 in 2022. This additional income over the last few years was used to support the GSGA Foundation and has required a little bit of work by GSGA staff on the front end securing rounds and posting them onto the online platform. The GSGA has found that once a facility commits to supporting this effort they are in long-term and a simple email confirmation in subsequent years is all that is needed to prompt a facility’s continued support.

To maximize donations, the GSGA sold golf to runner-up matching bids for a handful of items that allowed a donated round or experience to be doubled at the end of the auction, but what really drove up bids this year was the “popcorn” bidding feature which keeps the auction going past the deadline by allowing active bidders to continue bidding until no bids are received for 10 minutes.

The GSGA promoted the auction to its membership through email, social media, and purchased social media advertising. TravelPledge sent communications to their network of bidders – a group of nearly 11,000 past bidders (from all over the US) who are also alerted when bucket list experiences are posted by nonprofits like the GSGA. This additional exposure proved to be quite valuable.

Feel free to visit the GSGA Foundation auction at gsga.travelpledgeauctions.com/Event to see the auction results and to click on items to see how they were set up.

Questions for the GSGA related to their auction can be directed to Chandler Kowalski (ckowalski@gsga.org) or for more information on TravelPledge Auctions, contact Alex McDonald (alex@travelpledge.com).

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