IAGA Quick Hits | 2.09.26
January 2026: Nerding Out on the Numbers
From the Oregon Golf Association
Even a modicum of searching the interwebs for “Geek vs. Nerd” will reveal more than a few hotly contested chats regarding the differences between the two. “Are they interchangeable?” “Which one is smarter?” I thought about clicking on “Geek vs. Nerd vs. Dork vs. Dweeb” but that seemed like a slide into a rabbit hole from which recovery is questionable, like shopping on Amazon.
Whether you’re a Geek or a Nerd or neither, I think you already get the point of this article, and you haven’t even read it yet. Here at the OGA, we often dwell squarely, even proudly, in Nerdom and have a fondness for stats. Though sometimes data can be the gift that keeps on giving like a case of the yips, we thought we’d share fascinating findings from 2025.
As always, thank you for your membership! We hope you had a happy, healthy holiday season and that the single New Year’s Resolution you keep consists of a couple of four-letter words: More Golf.
Creative Investment
From Global Golf Post Biz
As membership in Allied Golf Associations across the country has increased, driving substantial revenue growth in the years after COVID-19, finding new and creative ways to serve members has become these associations’ driving focus.
According to the National Golf Foundation, total on-course golf participation rose to 29.1 million in 2025 from 24.3 million in 2019, an increase of nearly 20 percent. By adding off-course participation, the number climbed more than 40 percent to 48.1 million. This post-COVID-19 swell precipitated high-water marks in revenue for Allied Golf Associations, the keepers of the amateur game at the statewide level across the nation. Thanks to the seismic growth spurts in membership numbers and significant increases in competitors in their respective events, the AGAs have enjoyed a head-turning monetary infusion.
The increase in participation also translates to expansion of programs, projects, initiatives, and tournaments beyond the usual scope of AGA core business, which includes handicapping and course rating in addition to staging competitions. “Membership is the engine that drives all that we do,” said Mass Golf executive director Jesse Menachem. “It’s our U.S. Open that supports all of our programs and services at the local level.”
WA Golf Delivers More Value Through Partnership With Local PGA Section
From WA Golf
Like many Allied Golf Associations, WA Golf continues to look for innovative ways to deliver meaningful value to its members. One of the most recent and successful examples is Flipwedge, a modern club exchange platform developed by the Pacific Northwest PGA Section.
Launched in late 2025 and fully white labeled and branded for WA Golf, Flipwedge was built with a simple goal to help members unlock significantly more value when trading in golf equipment. Early results have been encouraging, and as WA Golf heads into the heart of the 2026 golf season, Flipwedge is poised to become one of its most compelling member benefits.
Unlike traditional trade in options, Flipwedge can return up to 40 percent more value for used clubs. Even more exciting, upcoming enhanced member bonus offers are expected to push that advantage to as much as 60 percent more in many cases, depending on the original equipment manufacturer selected, including brands such as Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, and Cobra. The result is more flexibility, more buying power, and more opportunities for members to reinvest in their game.
Flipwedge is not just about financial upside. Every club exchange also supports the PGA Build a Bag program, which provides free clubs to kids, veterans, and others who want to play golf but may not have access to equipment. Each transaction helps remove barriers to entry and directly contributes to growing the game in local communities.
The Pacific Northwest Section PGA is ready to collaborate with other AGAs that are interested in launching their own white labeled and fully branded Flipwedge platform. The model is adaptable and scalable for associations of all sizes. To learn more or get started, contact Frank Talarico, CEO of Pacific NW Section PGA, or reach out to the Marketing Department at WA Golf.
Taking a look at the numbers behind West Penn Golf in 2025
From the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association
Golf continues to grow in popularity throughout the region and nationally, and the statistics support the trend of golf’s rise.
Both independently and through its alliance with the USGA, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association tracks a variety of data during the year to fully understand the scope of play and the game’s rising popularity in the western half of the state.
In this article, we look at the numbers behind West Penn Golf in 2025, including Handicap Index information, rounds played details, membership and competition data and more.
Making Moves in Membership
Beginning with membership information, the WPGA saw a sizable rise in membership from the end of the 2024 active scoring season to the end of the 2025 active scoring season, as the Association’s overall membership climbed from 39,667 to 42,784 — an increase of over 3,000 people.
Since 2020, membership in the WPGA has grown a remarkable 47.8 percent, as nearly 14,000 more players have affiliated themselves with the WPGA or one of its member clubs.
The Alabama Golf Association Announces 2025 Alabama Amateur Players of the Year
From the Alabama Golf Association
The Alabama Golf Association (AGA) has announced the 2025 AGA Players of the Year. To honor Alabama amateur golfers who performed exceptionally in the preceding tournament season, the AGA identifies award recipients as the number one golfer based on a season-long ranking system.
In 1994, the Men’s Player of the Year Award was established. Throughout time, the award expanded to include Women (2010), Senior Men and Senior Women (2016), and Junior Boys and Junior Girls (2017).
Notable past men’s award winners include Garrett Osborn (2000), Patton Kizzire (2003), Bobby Wyatt (2011-2012), Michael Johnson (2013), Robby Shelton IV (2015) and Nick Dunlap (2023-2024). Will Swift (2002, 2005, 2006), Steve Hudson (2004, 2009, 2010), and Gordon Sargent (2020-2022) are tied for the most awards with three apiece.
Notable past women’s award winners include Kathy Hartwiger (2010-2012, 2015), Elaine Wood (2016-2017) and Scarlett Schremmer (2024-2025). Kathy Hartwiger (2010-2012, 2015) holds the most awards with four, as well as the overall record for most state tournaments won.