Partnership strengthens national collaboration alongside NGCOA, NGF, and PGA of America to advance data-driven performance across U.S. golf
Chicago, IL — Greenlight Advisors, a leading provider of financial and operational intelligence for the golf industry and developer of the GolfClubBenchmarks.com platform, today announced that the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) has joined as a Strategic Partner in support of the 2026 U.S. Golf Study.
IAGA joins a growing coalition of leading industry organizations—including the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), National Golf Foundation (NGF), and the PGA of America—in a unified effort to advance data-driven insights, benchmarking, and performance standards across U.S. golf facilities.
The 2026 U.S. Golf Study represents one of the most comprehensive national benchmarking initiatives ever undertaken in the golf industry, delivering actionable intelligence across four performance pillars (1) financial, (2) operations, (3) capital assets, and (4) player experience.
Elevating Public Golf Through National Benchmarking
As a leading professional network connecting golf association leaders and administrators across North America and beyond, IAGA brings a unique and influential industry perspective to the 2026 U.S. Golf Study—ensuring that the voice of state, regional, and national golf associations is represented in shaping the future of the game.
Through this partnership, IAGA will:
- Expand awareness and participation through its network of allied golf associations, extending the Study’s reach across diverse markets and player populations
- Provide insight into governance, program development, and player engagement trends that influence golf at the regional and national levels
- Share best practices and data-driven perspectives that support sustainable growth, industry alignment, and long-term participation in the game
- Present key findings from the 2026 U.S. Golf Study at the 2026 IAGA Annual Conference (November 8–11) at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida
“This partnership with IAGA represents an important step in expanding the reach and impact of the 2026 U.S. Golf Study across the industry,” said Michael Suglich, CPA, and Founder of Greenlight Advisors. “By aligning IAGA with NGCOA, NGF, and the PGA of America, we are strengthening our ability to promote awareness and participation nationwide—helping golf courses everywhere leverage data-driven insights to improve performance, operate more effectively, and support the long-term health and sustainability of the game.”
Bill Walker, Executive Director of IAGA, added:
“Golf associations play a vital role in supporting the growth, governance, and long-term health of the game. The 2026 U.S. Golf Study aligns closely with IAGA’s mission to connect and empower association leaders through shared knowledge and collaboration. By partnering with Greenlight Advisors and joining organizations like NGCOA, NGF, and the PGA of America, we are helping deliver meaningful data and benchmarking insights that our member associations can use to better serve their regions, strengthen their programs, and support thousands of golfer course operators across North America and beyond.”
Driving Industry-Wide Impact Through Data
The 2026 U.S. Golf Study will leverage the GolfClubBenchmarks.com platform to aggregate and analyze data from a broad cross-section of U.S. golf facilities, including municipal, public daily fee, private, and resorts.
Key outcomes and deliverables for participating courses include:
- Best-in-Class Report Card™ – Four Pillars of Performance
- Financial
- Operational and KPIs
- Capital Assets and Agronomy
- Customer Experience and Engagement
- National, Regional, Climate Zone and State benchmark reports
- Enhanced decision-making tools
- A unified dataset to support industry advocacy and investment
To learn more about Golf Club Benchmarks and view recent announcements, visit https://golfclubbenchmarks.com/press/.
Registration for the 2026 U.S. Golf Study is now open for municipal, public daily fee, and resort golf facilities interested in participating in this national benchmarking initiative. Participating facilities will receive exclusive performance intelligence, benchmarking insights, and study deliverables designed to support data-driven decision-making and long-term operational success.
Golf facilities can sign-up today at https://signup.golfclubbenchmarks.com/
About GREENLIGHT ADVISORS
Greenlight Advisors is a golf industry advisory firm specializing in financial, operational, and performance benchmarking for golf course owners and operators. Through its GolfClubBenchmarks.com intelligence platform and the national U.S. Golf Study, Greenlight Advisors provides data-driven insights that help golf facilities measure performance, identify best practices, and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
About IAGA
The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) is a professional network connecting golf association leaders and staff across North America and beyond. Its members include state, regional, and national golf associations that collectively serve millions of golfers. Through collaboration, education, and information exchange, IAGA supports the advancement of the game and the organizations that lead it.
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael A. Suglich, CPA
Founder & Managing Director
Greenlight Advisors
GolfClubBenchmarks.com
mike@greenlightadvisors.com
