Allied Golf Associations representing 92% of GHIN golfers have entered into direct agreements with Golf Genius
WAYNE, Pa. – Golf Genius Software, Inc. (GGS) announced that it has completed the transition of its tournament management supplier relationship with the USGA to the Allied Golf Associations (AGAs). As a result of this transition, AGAs representing 92% of GHIN golfers have entered into direct agreements with Golf Genius for the use of GGS tournament management software by the AGAs and their member clubs; clubs in non-participating areas can subscribe directly with Golf Genius. GGS will continue to support and monitor the GHIN technology platform, providing technology services for GHIN and calculation technology to support 2.9 million golfers. Additionally, GGS will continue to partner with the USGA to provide Golf Genius tournament management for USGA championships.
“When we entered into our partnership with the USGA in 2016, our agreement contemplated that the USGA might choose to cease providing tournament management software as part of the GHIN suite, and we wrote into the agreement the process and economics of transferring the relationship and contracts to the AGAs”, stated Chris Kallmeyer, Co-CEO of GGS. “Because we had planned for this, we were able to work harmoniously and swiftly with the USGA and AGAs to affect a smooth transition.”
Mike Zisman, GGS Co-CEO added, “The USGA’s decision to cease providing tournament management software to AGAs and their member clubs is consistent with the vast majority of national federations. Today all national golf federations provide handicapping services based on the World Handicap System (WHS), but very few provide tournament management software or other software required by clubs.”
Under the current USGA contract which expires on December 31st, GGS provides a USGA branded version of its tournament management service for the USGA to provide to AGAs and clubs. Under the new agreement between GGS and participating AGAs, the AGAs will provide the Golf Genius TM Club product to their member clubs as part of the AGA membership fee, and those clubs can upgrade to the TM Club Premium service by contracting directly with GGS. The thousands of clubs currently using USGA TM Club or Club Premium will experience no change other than the shift to Golf Genius branding and terms on January 1st. The participating AGAs will also use the Golf Genius TM Association product to manage their own robust schedule of tournaments at the association level.
Gareth Londt, Managing Director of GHIN and Business Technology Solutions at the USGA, commented, “We have an excellent relationship with Golf Genius Software and their team. We made the strategic decision to discontinue offering tournament management as part of GHIN for two reasons. First, the new GHIN platform and golfer app released in 2020 have been a great success, and we want to focus our resources on continued investment in GHIN. Secondly, and with respect to tournament management, we’ve always felt it is best for the entire golf ecosystem if there are a number of viable tournament management software suppliers. Competition accelerates innovation and reduces costs. By exiting from this business, AGAs and clubs are free to choose the tournament management software that best meets their needs.”
About Golf Genius
Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. GGS has more than 130 employees, including 40+ PGA professionals, with sales and support operations in the United States, Canada, the UK, Europe and Australia. For more information, visit www.golfgenius.com.
About Allied Golf Associations (AGAs)
The USGA partners with 59 state & regional golf associations (Allied Golf Associations) to best serve the game of golf by increasing engagement with existing golfers, introducing the game to new audiences and improving the golf experience for all. For more information, visit
https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/about/find-your-allied-golf-association-usga-usa.html.
