HISTORY AND MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
In 1947, when Pacific Women’s Golf Association was organized, there was a need for a golf
association, open to every woman golfer. At that time, there was only one association and its
bylaws provided membership for women’s golf groups at private courses only. This provision
still exists, so it is really great that the women golfers who play on public courses have their
own organization in Northern California to help supervise handicapping procedures and put on
tournaments……PWGA! We also have a highly acclaimed course-rating program for our
member clubs as well. The organization was incorporated in 1984 as the Pacific Women’s
Golf Association, Inc. and has over 200 member clubs in seven areas in Northern California
with almost 9,000 members.
The Beginning
Helen Lengfeld gathered a group of women golfers together at her home in 1947 and
organized the fledgling group of public and semi-public golfers into an organization to be
known as PWGA. One of our purposes is to aid and gain recognition for all women golfers in
the public sector of golf, but, mainly, we provide uniform and up-to-date USGA handicaps and
course ratings. Our organization, PWGA, has been recognized as an association certified to
rate and give ratings on golf courses in our area. The Course Rating Director, her Assistant
and the Course Rating Chairwoman from each area are invited to attend the USGA course
rating seminars.
Handicap System
All PWGA Clubs are handicapped through the USGA Golf and Information Network (GHIN).
The club Handicapper has the ability to perform most of the functions required of her for GHIN
on her home PC using the GHP Online website (for handicap officials only). She can choose
to work on the computer at the golf course or from the comfort of home to generate monthly
handicap reports for the club. Members are encouraged to sign up to have their Handicap
Index report emailed to them twice monthly directly from GHIN. Included in the twice monthly
email is an Association Newsletter, giving the latest news from PWGA.
Course Rating
PWGA Course Rating members are trained in seminars and by individual instruction by
certified and experienced raters. The Course Rating members include the Director, her
Assistant and a Chairwoman from each of our eight geographical areas. These members
provide a uniform basis upon which our handicaps are computed and maintained. Please
notify your Area Course Rating Chairwoman if any major changes or damages have occurred
at your course. The rating will probably need to be amended.
Tournaments
PWGA sponsors six (6) major tournaments annually including a Team Play Championship.
Flyers detailing specific tournament requirements are published approximately 6 weeks before
PWGA REP Kit – Updated 11/2014
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