About Membership

The Golf Association of Ontario is a non-profit organization consisting of over 420 Private, Semi-Private and Public golf courses across the province. Individual membership in the association consists of those players who are  members of Private and Semi Private Courses in Ontario or those who have joined the GAO through our Public Player Program. The GAO offers its member clubs a variety of programs and services, all of which are highlighted in our Member Services section. A complete membership presentation can be found by clicking here.

 

The Golf Association of Ontario originally established in 1923, is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving our member clubs, individual members, and the game of golf.  Through the programs and services offered to our members,the GAO strives to provide leadership and promote growth and development while continuing to preserve the integrity and values that make the sport of golf so enjoyable.

 

 

• Computerized Handicapping
• Course Rating & Measuring
• Provincial Championships
• Ontario Golf Magazine
• Junior Golf Programs
• Rules of Golf

 

 

GAO Membership Categories

 

Private Club (Category I): Defined as having members who pay annual dues and do not allow green fee play.  The minimum number for a 9-hole facility is 40 adult members and the minimum number for an 18-hole facility is 60 adult members.  All GAO membership cards are issued through the club.

 

Semi-Private Club (Category II): Defined as having members who pay annual dues in addition to allowing green fee play.   The minimum number for a 9-hole facility is 40 adult members and the minimum number for an 18-hole facility is 60 adult members.  All GAO membership cards are issued through the club.

 

Public Course (Category III):  Defined as a golf operation that only allows green fee play.  Membership cards are not issued for this category.

 

Golf Group (Category IV): A public or green fee club that has been formed by at least 15 members who are not members of a Private or Semi-Private Club, who pay green fees, play in a close geographical region, and play together regularly at one or more golf courses. They do not own, lease, manage, operate or control a golf course. The Golf Group must establish the appropriate committees and otherwise meet all criteria set out in the By-law for Member Clubs.

 

Membership Fees

 

Category I & II
Adults = $24.00
Juniors = $14.50
Public Players = $28.50 (inc. GST)
Group Members = $24.00 (Adults), $14.50 (Juniors)

Clubs using the RCGA Network (formally OGIN) Handicap System; please add an additional $3.50 for adults and $2.00 for juniors. Click here to download a RCGA Network Information Package

Category III
9 Holes = $900.00
18 Holes = $1400.00

Note: All categories subject to GST.

Application Forms

2010 Private Club Membership Application Form

2010 Semi-Private Club Membership Application Form

2010 Public Course Membership Application Form

2010 Golf Group Membership Application Form

How Your GAO/RCGA Membership Supports Amateur Golf

 

• Support for Handicapping/Course Rating/Measuring Activities. The GAO Rates over 100 member courses every year!
• Support for Junior Golf Development Programs including introducing golf at the grass roots level through junior Information seminars, and camps and the CN Future Links program.
• Contributions to Turf Research (Environmental Research)
• Support to the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame; helping recognize the game, its tradition and identify those who have left an indelible mark on the game.
• Support for the Canadian Golf Museum; helping preserve the history of the game.
• Support for the administration of the Rules of Golf and Etiquette
• Support for Scholarship Programs. To help Ontario and Canadian golfers achieve further education and develop their game to a higher level. The GAO has awarded over $200,000 in the last ten years.
• Support for Player Development Programs. To help develop and support our elite golfers in the Province and country, to take their game to the highest level. Some examples include; Mike Weir, David Moreland IV, and Ian Leggatt.
• Conducting Provincial Championships, and supporting Provincial Players in National and International Championships
• Included with membership dues is home delivery of the Ontario Golf News (the GAO's magazine) and the RCGA's publication Golf Canada.
• Seminars on topics such as Scholarships to U.S. Universities and Rules seminars for Member Clubs.

 

Member Services

 

Course Rating & Measuring

The GAO rates member club courses in accordance with the USGA/RCGA Course and Slope Rating System. The GAO has several course rating teams across the province comprising some 100 volunteers. Over 100 member club courses are rated annually, which generally runs from early May to late October. The GAO is available to rate courses for both men and women. Precise course and slope ratings are provided for each set of tees at member clubs so that all members can enjoy the benefits of an accurate and equitable handicap Factor.

The GAO accurately measures member club courses through the use of an electronic laser device which measures to within 1/100th of a foot accuracy. Precise course measurements are essential for accurate course and slope ratings.

The GAO is available to laser distances from tee to green, sprinkler heads, or to locate the precise location of fairway yardage markers. GAO Fairway Markers are available to indicate the exact yardage to the center of the green (i.e. 100 yards - Red, 150 yards - White, 200 yards - Blue). GAO Tee/Yardage Markers are also available to indicate the point from which each hole was measured.

 

Provincial Championships

The GAO conducts many Provincial Championships for both men and woman annually. Every year thousands of Ontario golfers participate in our Championships which include the following events:

• Amateur Championship
• Junior Championship
• Mid-Amateur Championship
• Senior Championship
• Public Player Championship
• Better Ball Championship
• Senior Better Ball Championship
• Family Classic Championship
• Mixed Championship
• Bantam Championship

The GAO also conducts the qualifying rounds for the major RCGA Championships, including the Canadian Amateur, Senior Amateur, Junior Amateur, and the Mid-Amateur (for both men and woman). The strength and success of our Championships is directly attributable to the support and cooperation of our volunteers and member clubs for which the GAO is very appreciative.

 

Ontario Golf Magazine

GAO members receive a quarterly subscription to Ontario Golf. OG contains many interesting features and profiles on golf throughout the Province. To ensure that members receive issues, GAO member clubs provide updated mailing lists annually (at the clubs discretion), copies may also be snt in bulk as requested. Member clubs are assured that their mailing lists will be used solely for the distribution of the magazine. Contact the GAO at administration@gao.ca for details.

Rules of Golf and Amateur Status

The GAO offers many Rules seminars whereby interested clubs can arrange on-site seminars covering the basic Rules of Golf for their members' benefit. Have your Golf Chairman or Club Representative contact us at administration@gao.ca to schedule a seminar.