Club Services

THE USGA PARTNERSHIP
The USGA values an important partnership with the Kansas City Golf Association. A primary means of communications with golfers is through a network of state, regional, and district amateur golf associations like the KCGA. Through the KCGA, the USGA is able to publicize information about its programs and, in turn, receive information about the state of the game. The KCGA implements many USGA programs at the local level, including the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems, and manages the local and sectional qualifying for USGA Championships. Additionally, the KCGA is authorized by the USGA to serve as the authority on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status locally.

CLUB CONSULTING SERVICES

USGA Handicap System
The KCGA is an authorized licensee of the USGA Handicap System. We promote the system and ensure all clubs in the region are in compliance with its policies and procedures. As a result, handicaps have value and the integrity of the system is protected. Our role is to educate handicap committees how to manage their handicap program. We have informational programs that help clarify the role of the handicap committee, enhance communication with a club's membership, and teach the critical elements of score posting and adjusting. Furthermore, we are available to consult or settle handicap issues to ensure consistent and accurate enforcement of policies and procedures.

Handicap Hole Allocation
The KCGA performs statistical analysis of historical scores for each hole on the course, provided by a club. Based upon this analysis, the KCGA recommends in a report to the club how the handicap strokes should be allocated.

Course Marking
Courses should be defined and marked at all times so golfers may become accustomed to playing under the Rules of Golf. The KCGA assists its member clubs in properly marking and defining their golf courses for tournament and daily play. This service can range from having the KCGA review existing markings and then provide a recommendation report, to having the Association completely define and mark the course.

Pace of Play Rating
Pace of Play is an important issue for any course, whether it is private or public. The KCGA provides assistance to a member club to establish a time par for an average group of golfers to play the course. This is done by collecting information about the course such as distance between greens and tees, and location of snack bars. This information is combined with the course rating information to produce a time par. In addition, the KCGA offers complimentary pace of play tools to help a club's staff monitor pace of play.

Course Measuring
Accurate measuring is an essential component of a USGA Course and Slope Rating. The KCGA accurately measures member clubs' courses and practice facilities with state-of-the-art optical laser technology, and then delivers a detailed report with all measurements.

SOFTWARE SERVICES

We are a proud provider of the Golf Handicap & Information Network (GHIN). GHIN is an all-inclusive software package developed by the USGA for the purpose of helping clubs, golfers, and golf associations interact and promote the game. Key services of the software package include handicap management, tournament management, web services, and data services.

Golf Handicap Program (GHP)
GHP provides accurate and timely Handicap Indexes for more than 1.6 million golfers. It is the world's largest handicapping service. Scores are submitted by members at any GHIN club in the nation. The scores are promptly routed to the national server where, through a license with the USGA, Handicap Indexes are calculated and distributed to KCGA members clubs at two-week intervals during the golf season. In addition to a user-friendly interface for golfers, GHP's powerful management module provides a handicap committee with tools for player maintenance and a custom report writer. The KCGA provides the GHP software, installation, and technical support as part of membership. A small additional fee is charged for each active golfer.

eClubhouse
eClubhouse is a web-based tool to help streamline the organizational and communication processes of most clubs. The password-based micro site allows clubs to create subject matter that is available to the public (unauthenticated users), or to members only. This allows public information about the club to be available to prospective members or guest. All content management is done utilizing WYSIWYG editors, so it is intuitive and keeps the site dynamic. Hence, the administration of the site can be easily managed by anyone. The KCGA provides eClubhouse and technical support as part of the standard handicap fee. Some of the features and options include:

About Us, My Game (stats, score posting)
Event Management (tournaments, meetings, or socials)
Player Maintenance
Email Broadcasts, Themes (look, feel, colors)
Photo Albums
Payment Options (membership fees and/or event fees)
Accounting

Tournament Pairings Program (TPP)
TPP is a powerful tournament management software. TPP is used in over 5,000 clubs nationally, and more than 100 golf associations including the USGA. TPP manages many functions that typically could only be done manually by a club's staff. Pairings, flights, scorecards, cart signs, scoring, and posting event reports are all done quickly and easily with TPP. There are also optional components that can enhance a club's competition. These optional components include:

TPP Clubhouse Viewer
TPP Real Time
TPP Sign Up

GHINClub.net
GHINClub.net is the “Club Officials” website. Through GHINClub.net, the authorized club representative can perform maintenance on the membership's GHIN records, as well as have access to a broad array of information. Best of all, you have access anytime, anywhere!

COURSE RATING SERVICES

USGA Course and Slope Rating System
As authorized by the USGA, the KCGA has an exclusive license to provide Course Rating services to courses in the Kansas City regional area. These services are managed in accordance with the USGA Course and Slope Rating System and are provided at no additional charge to member clubs. The Association has both men's and women's Course Rating teams comprising some 20 volunteers. Over 50 member club tees are rated annually during the "rating season" which generally runs from April through October. Precise USGA Course and Slope Ratings are provided for each set of tees at our member clubs so all members can enjoy the benefits of an accurate and equitable Handicap Index.

eSERVICES

kansascitygolfer.org
kansascitygolfer.org is the home of amateur golf. The website is an interactive, user-friendly, comprehensive tool that invites golfers to discover the amateur golf community of Kansas City. Log on today at www.kansascitygolfer.org.

kcLINKS - eNewsletter
kcLINKS is the official eNewsletter of the Association. After each handicap revision, members with email addresses in their player files receive a detailed report which includes current Handicap Index, score history, Association news, and much more.

Educational Seminars
The KCGA is committed to providing quality education to all levels of golfers. Annually, the KCGA conducts public and private seminars on the Rules of Golf, Course Rating, and Handicapping.

CLUB BUSINESS PROGRAM

Marketing and Advertising Consulting
The KCGA has developed an outstanding working relationship with Kansas City marketing and advertising expert Adastra Metro Golf.
This dynamic company offers one-stop integrated golf marketing solutions that help your golf course get off the fringe. Adastra Metro Golf provides exclusive member pricing for KCGA member clubs.

Graphic Design and Website Services
Having a talented graphic artist on staff is not something many clubs have. However, professional design is a must in today's golf market. Visible Ink. is a graphic design and internet solution shop based in Kansas City, MO. They specialize in print design (brochures, catalogs, logo and company branding, and other marketing material) website design, development and hosting, advertising, and copywriting. Visible Ink. delivers high-quality design and marketing solutions for a fraction of the price of traditional advertising agencies. Visible Ink Creative Solutions offers exclusive member pricing to KCGA member clubs.

Computer Services
Computers are a fact of life in today's business world. However, having a full time IT professional is not feasible for any club unless it is part of a large management company. The KCGA values the importance of having an individual who is responsive, can speak without being technical, and, above all, understand the requirements of our software services. We are pleased to have a partnership with Just Ask Computer Services to provide exceptional IT services at exclusive member pricing for KCGA member clubs.

USGA Turf Advisory Service
Quality turf is a key to having satisfied members and patrons. The USGA Green Section is a valuable resource for courses by providing the most practical turf and golf course management information for the budget of any facility.

The Turf Advisory Service typically reviews subjects such as current maintenance programs, course condition, environmental subjects, safety issues, and long-range planning. Many clubs in the Kansas City regional area use this service annually. The KCGA has a marketing partnership with the USGA which allows member clubs to purchase TAS visits at a discounted rate of $300-$500.

INDIVIDUAL GOLFER PROGRAMS

Regional Championships
The KCGA conducts seven championships annually. Every year amateur golfers from across the Kansas City regional area participate in our championship program.

StateLine Amateur Tour
The StateLine Amateur Tour is the region's only professionally-managed amateur tour. The primary goal of the tour is to provide amateur golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to play competitively without taking off from work for more than a half day. The one-day events provide a “tour atmosphere” second to none. The StateLine Tour consists of 12 regular season events, a Tour Championship, and opportunities to earn a place on the rosters for the popular HeartLand Cup.

KC Junior Tour
The KC Junior Tour is the Association's competitive junior golf program. The tour is designed to offer junior golfers of all ages and skill levels the chance to gain golf experience at a competitive level while learning the game, the rules and traditions.

Special Awards Program
The KCGA provides a certificate to KCGA members who make a hole-in-one, shoot their age, or are a club's most improved player (male and female) during the golf season. Each award recipient is provided with a handsome certificate.

Volunteer Services
The KCGA has many volunteer opportunities for a golfer who wants to give back to the game. Volunteers are needed to help assist with juniors, championships, course rating, and many other areas. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, email the Association at kcga@kcgolf.org or call at (913) 649-5242.