IAGA Quick Hits | 2.26.26
California Assembly Member Chris Ward (D-San Diego) Introduces Legislation to Protect Equitable Access to California’s Publicly Owned Golf Courses
From the Southern California Golf Association
SACRAMENTO, CA – Friday February 13 San Diego lawmaker Chris Ward introduced AB 1954, the “Blocking Illegitimate Reservations and Protecting Equitable Access to California’s Publicly Owned Golf Courses Act,” to give the state’s municipal golf courses a tool they don’t now have and only the state can provide to manage their parkland golf properties for the maximal benefit of the communities they are intended to serve.
The bill’s sponsor is the California Alliance for Golf (CAG), an organization created by the state’s allied associations to speak as the unified voice for golf regarding matters of statewide concern (e.g., legislation, regulation). It is managed by the Southern California Golf Association with the assistance of an executive director and a legislative consultant. It is overseen by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from California’s allied associations/organizations.
There are over 220 golf courses in California that are municipally owned by cities, counties, charter cities, and the state. As part of publicly owned park systems, these courses operate per business models that eschew maximal revenue generation in favor of making them maximally available to local residents, seniors, juniors, school athletes, local clubs and civic organizations. Because California’s urban areas are among the most golf-starved in the nation, this model creates a demand for tee times second to none. It has also created opportunities for 3rd party tee time brokers to capture and re-sell tee times at inflated prices and in the process substantially reduce the already strained supply of recreational opportunities available to California residents.
When the ubiquity of 3rd party brokering became a front page story in Los Angeles and other California urban areas in 2024, municipalities adopted various forms of reservation protocols at the expense of the public that mitigated the problem but in the end were not capable of solving it.
A New Look for Championship Logos in 2026
From Golf Ontario
Golf Ontario championships will feature a refreshed logo system in 2026, designed to celebrate tradition while creating a stronger, more unified championship identity across the province.
The new framework introduces a clear visual distinction between our major championships and non-major events, while maintaining consistency across the provincial calendar.
Elevating Our Major Championships
Beginning in 2026, Golf Ontario’s major championships will be represented by a bold trillium-inspired mark — a symbol deeply connected to the province and the traditions of amateur golf in Ontario.
The new major championship design:
• Celebrates Ontario through the trillium silhouette
• Creates a distinctive, premium championship identity
• Delivers strong visual impact across signage, apparel, and digital platforms
• Reflects the prestige and history of our flagship events
This approach ensures major championships stand apart while remaining aligned within the broader Golf Ontario brand system.
“Our goal was to create something that feels unmistakably Ontario while giving each major championship a mark players and host clubs can take pride in,” says Golf Ontario’s manager of brand and communications, Greg Mitchell. “The trillium mark allows us to celebrate tradition while delivering a modern identity that works everywhere our championships show up — from digital platforms to signage and apparel.”
Game On With Grants: Brothers Gage, Ryker, Tanner Blakesley among new Junior Golf Opportunity Grant recipients
From WA Golf
In 2026, the Washington Golf Foundation – which has led dedicated efforts to foster and advance the growth of the game in Washington since 2022 – has offered its inaugural Junior Golf Opportunity Grant to 10 recipients. Each one-time award offers $600 to Washington residents of ages 8-17 who exhibit financial need, passion for golf and strong academic achievement.
Three of the grants have recently been awarded to a single household. Gage, Ryker and Tanner Blakesley, who live in Otis Orchards east of Spokane, comprise a sibling trio that has done plenty over the previous years, whether equipped with golf clubs or No. 2 pencils.
According to their mother, Arreal, each of the boys’ steadfast golfing journeys began some three years ago. Their dad is a casual player, and their grandmother is a competitive one, automatically providing them with family playing partners in addition to each other. Trailhead Golf Course, Liberty Lake and MeadowWood – all of which are located just about next door to each other in Spokane – have served as common destinations for family golf endeavors.
“I think it’s cool that they’re going to be able to have the opportunity to buy new stuff,” Arreal said. “We’ve been using borrowed clubs and things like that, so it’ll be nice to get them something that fits them.”
Torque GC partners with AJGA as Title Sponsor of Torque GC Championship
From the American Junior Golf Association
Torque GC of the LIV Golf League and The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) today announced a multi-year partnership, establishing the team as title sponsor of the Torque GC Championship. The event will return to Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club for the second consecutive year, reinforcing a shared commitment to developing the next generation of elite golfers.
The partnership reinforces Torque GC’s commitment to creating meaningful pathways for young golfers, while focusing on the global growth of the game. Torque GC’s roster includes AJGA alumni, Joaquin Niemann, Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz, each of whom competed on the AJGA circuit before rising to the professional ranks.
The Torque GC Championship will feature 78 of the world’s top-ranked junior players competing June 9–11, 2026. An AJGA Qualifier will be held Monday, June 8, providing 78 additional players the opportunity to earn a place in the championship field.