Golf Association of Michigan passes 100,000 members

The Golf Association of Michigan has passed an important milestone with 100,000 members.

De Gam traced its origin until 1919, when it was known as the Detroit District Golf Association (who was perhaps the successor of the Michigan State Golf League in the track). Members were all private clubs.

The Detroit District Golf Association went throughout the state in 1961, Rebranding as the Golf Association of Michigan. The GAM therefore started with 66 members’ clubs, 41 of which in the Detroit Metro area. However, the organization was still exclusively for private clubs.

It was only in 1985 that GAM started accepting public courses as members, after a change in his articles of association.

Exclusivity before 1985 and the persistent fragrance Exclusivity certainly includes the reasons why it took more than 100 years to break 100,000.

When I became a member of Gam, David Graham was the executive director. According to all the bills, Graham inherited an organization that struggled and was deep in debt. From my perspective, Graham concentrated in the right way on the development of members, launching things such as “Swing and Save” cards, GAM golf days, net tournaments for average golfers and the youth on a course program. Graham also built up strong partnerships with other stakeholders in Michigan Golf, SCH such as the Michigan Section PGA, Michigan Golf Course Superintendents and the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association.

When Graham resigned in 2019, the organization had a solid financial foot and it was up to 55,000 members.

Former golf coach of the University of Michigan Chris Whitten then stepped into the job of executive director. Whitten has taken what Graham started and run with it. Under Whitten, GAM is more visible and active than ever.

Under the current benefits of GAM membership: Ghin Handicap Service; Dozens of tournaments for all ages and skill levels; GAM Golf Days play golfers at some of the best private and resort courses in the state; Michigan links the annual directory (for which I have written various articles); Michigan e-links biweekly newsletter; And special offers from different golf -related companies.

In the meantime, the GAM Foundation supports Youth on Course, offers subsidies to GAM Junior Tournament Golfers; Offers Michigan PGA Player Development Grants; And trade fairs for students of the Ferris State University Professional Golf Management.

Lid clubs can offer USGA Handicap services; Get official course reviews, encourage traffic to their course through swing and store and other programs; And benefit financially when players buy a GAM membership and select their club as their home course.

Still, before all that, in my wave trips through the state, I occasionally find myself on courses that are not GAM members (which appears when I try to determine the slope and the assessment of the course; that is always a disappointment).

I have not renewed my membership in the USGA for many years, but I am happy that I am a member of the GAM.

And now the GAM has more than 100,000 members.

Congratulations to the GAM staff, to the countless volunteers who make the organization possible, and also to each member. Membership is important.