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      Play

      Come play with us! Find an event near you and we’ll see you on the course.

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      • Casual GolfPlay with friends and fellow GSGA Members in fun, casual rounds of golf.
        • Member Play Days
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        • One-Day Series
      • Adaptive GolfA complimentary program for individuals with physical, cognitive or sensory impairments.
      • Junior Tour SiteOur statewide junior golf program is for all skill levels between the ages of 5 and 18.
      • Handicapping & Course RatingGSGA Members receive a Handicap Index®, which allows you to post scores.
      • Rules of GolfDive into the Rules of Golf with resources to educate all players.
  • Competitions
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      Competitions

      Are you a competitive golfer? We have statewide competitions for men and women of all ages!

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      • GSGA CompetitionsWe host over 30 competitions open for statewide participation.
        • 2025 Competitions Schedule
      • USGA QualifiersThe GSGA conducts all USGA qualifying rounds in Georgia for every national championship.
      • Competition ResultsA history of GSGA competitions through the years.
      • Competition Host ClubsThis is a compilation of all GSGA competitions on record listed by host club.
      • Players of the YearEach year, we recognize Players of the Year for Men, Women, Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Senior Men, Senior Women and Super Senior Men
      • Need Help Registering?All competitors are required to register for each competition. We’re here to help.
  • Junior Golf
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      Junior Golf

      The GSGA is proud to provide junior golf opportunities through competitions, a statewide Junior Tour and Youth on Course programming.

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      • Junior Tour SiteOur statewide junior golf program is for all skill levels between the ages of 5 and 18.
      • U.S. National Development ProgramExpanding the pipeline for elite local golfers into the national development program to strengthen junior golf programming.
        • Team Georgia - 2025
      • Youth on Course GeorgiaProviding young people with life-changing opportunities through the game of golf.
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      Membership

      Join or renew your GSGA membership now and take advantage of your member benefits!

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      • Join or Renew MembershipJoin a community of more than 100,000 individuals who are passionate about the game.
      • Individual Member BenefitsGSGA Members have access to a number of exclusive benefits.
      • Member Clubs & CoursesWe provide a variety of services to our Member Clubs that enhance the enjoyment of the game for all golfers.
      • GSGA Club ChampionsSubmit your club champions!
      • GSGA Most Improved GolferSubmit your club's most improved players!
      • Hole in One & Unique Feats ClubScore a hole-in-one, an albatross or other unique feat? Let us know and join the club!
      • GSGA Member TripsTravel with fellow GSGA Members to some of the best golf destinations.
      • Golf GeorgiaThe official publication of the GSGA.
      • Golf Georgia PLUSGolf Georgia PLUS will provide you with important news and unique content on GSGA activities and programs, as well as other happenings from the amateur golf scene in Georgia.
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      Foundation

      The GSGA Foundation is the charitable affiliate of the GSGA and assists the golf industry in Georgia through scholarship programs, adaptive golf and junior golf initiatives.

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      • Annual FundHelp us support the game you love by making a gift to the GSGA Foundation.
      • ScholarshipsThe GSGA has awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarships to deserving students.
        • Endowed Scholarships
        • Moncrief Scholarship ProgramGeorgia’s future superintendents are supported through the Moncrief Scholarship Program.
        • Yates Scholarship ProgramThe Yates Scholarship Program provides assistance to employees, and their dependents, at GSGA Member Clubs.
  • Hall of Fame
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      Hall of Fame

      The Georgia Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Georgia’s golf traditions, heritage, achievements and excellence.

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      • Meet the Class of 2025GSGA announces the Class of 2025 inductees into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
      • Hall of Fame MembersMeet the members of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, including bios and videos.
      • History of the Hall of FameThe Georgia Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Georgia’s golf traditions, heritage, achievements and excellence.
  • Resources
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      Resources

      Information provided to GSGA Members on golf instruction, industry news, education and more.

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      • Play. Grow. Lead.Golf, the Georgia way.
      • MyGSGA Mobile AppA personalized mobile experience that allows you to manage your game.
      • EventsInterested in playing golf? Find an event and we’ll see you on the course!
      • GSGA BlogSubscribe now to the GSGA Blog! Access to GSGA news, feature stories, and more.
      • Economic Impact ReportThe state of Georgia boasts a thriving golf industry that brings in $5.3B worth of economic impact.
      • Instruction Video SeriesCheck out a library of tips to improve your game from Georgia golf professionals.
  • Get Involved
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GHIN Login
  • Post a Score
  • Submit a Hole in One/Unique Feat
  • Renew Your Membership
  • Apply for a Scholarship
  • Learn about Adaptive Golf
  • Play
    • Casual GolfPlay with friends and fellow GSGA Members in fun, casual rounds of golf.
      • Member Play Days
      • GSGA Fore Fun Women's Series
      • One-Day Series
    • Adaptive GolfA complimentary program for individuals with physical, cognitive or sensory impairments.
    • Junior Tour SiteOur statewide junior golf program is for all skill levels between the ages of 5 and 18.
    • Handicapping & Course RatingGSGA Members receive a Handicap Index®, which allows you to post scores.
    • Rules of GolfDive into the Rules of Golf with resources to educate all players.
  • Competitions
    • GSGA CompetitionsWe host over 30 competitions open for statewide participation.
      • 2025 Competitions Schedule
    • USGA QualifiersThe GSGA conducts all USGA qualifying rounds in Georgia for every national championship.
    • Competition ResultsA history of GSGA competitions through the years.
    • Competition Host ClubsThis is a compilation of all GSGA competitions on record listed by host club.
    • Players of the YearEach year, we recognize Players of the Year for Men, Women, Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Senior Men, Senior Women and Super Senior Men
    • Need Help Registering?All competitors are required to register for each competition. We’re here to help.
  • Junior Golf
    • Junior Tour SiteOur statewide junior golf program is for all skill levels between the ages of 5 and 18.
    • U.S. National Development ProgramExpanding the pipeline for elite local golfers into the national development program to strengthen junior golf programming.
      • Team Georgia - 2025
    • Youth on Course GeorgiaProviding young people with life-changing opportunities through the game of golf.
  • Membership
    • Join or Renew MembershipJoin a community of more than 100,000 individuals who are passionate about the game.
    • Individual Member BenefitsGSGA Members have access to a number of exclusive benefits.
    • Member Clubs & CoursesWe provide a variety of services to our Member Clubs that enhance the enjoyment of the game for all golfers.
    • GSGA Club ChampionsSubmit your club champions!
    • GSGA Most Improved GolferSubmit your club's most improved players!
    • Hole in One & Unique Feats ClubScore a hole-in-one, an albatross or other unique feat? Let us know and join the club!
    • GSGA Member TripsTravel with fellow GSGA Members to some of the best golf destinations.
    • Golf GeorgiaThe official publication of the GSGA.
    • Golf Georgia PLUSGolf Georgia PLUS will provide you with important news and unique content on GSGA activities and programs, as well as other happenings from the amateur golf scene in Georgia.
  • Foundation
    • Annual FundHelp us support the game you love by making a gift to the GSGA Foundation.
    • ScholarshipsThe GSGA has awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarships to deserving students.
      • Endowed Scholarships
      • Moncrief Scholarship ProgramGeorgia’s future superintendents are supported through the Moncrief Scholarship Program.
      • Yates Scholarship ProgramThe Yates Scholarship Program provides assistance to employees, and their dependents, at GSGA Member Clubs.
  • Hall of Fame
    • Meet the Class of 2025GSGA announces the Class of 2025 inductees into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
    • Hall of Fame MembersMeet the members of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, including bios and videos.
    • History of the Hall of FameThe Georgia Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Georgia’s golf traditions, heritage, achievements and excellence.
  • Resources
    • Play. Grow. Lead.Golf, the Georgia way.
    • MyGSGA Mobile AppA personalized mobile experience that allows you to manage your game.
    • EventsInterested in playing golf? Find an event and we’ll see you on the course!
    • GSGA BlogSubscribe now to the GSGA Blog! Access to GSGA news, feature stories, and more.
    • Economic Impact ReportThe state of Georgia boasts a thriving golf industry that brings in $5.3B worth of economic impact.
    • Instruction Video SeriesCheck out a library of tips to improve your game from Georgia golf professionals.
  • Get Involved
    • Join
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Job Openings
    • Subscribe to the GSGA Blog
  • I want to...
    • Post a Score
    • Submit a Hole in One/Unique Feat
    • Renew Your Membership
    • Apply for a Scholarship
    • Learn about Adaptive Golf
GSGA News
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2 min read

Billy Payne inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame

Luke McCarthy, GSGA

Born in Athens, Ga., Billy Payne attended Dykes High School in Atlanta where he quarterbacked the football team, and in 1966, he returned to Athens to play football at the University of Georgia. As a wide receiver and defensive end, Payne lettered three years earning All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) and All-America honors. In 1968 prior to his senior season, he was named a National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete. He led his team to an SEC Championship and a berth in the Sugar Bowl that year as well.

After graduating in 1969 in political science, he later earned his law degree from UGA in 1973 and practiced real estate law until 1988, when he was named president and CEO of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. Payne launched a successful bid, and in 1990, Atlanta was selected to host the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. He continued in his leadership role, becoming the first person in modern history to earn an Olympic bid and remain president and CEO through the Games themselves. Atlanta also holds the distinction of being the first city to win an Olympic bid in its first attempt and being the first privately funded Olympics in the history of the event.

In 2006, Payne was announced as the new chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. During his 11 years as chairman, Payne oversaw several initiatives which enhanced the patron and player experience. He was part of negotiations of a new television contract with ESPN, allowing unprecedented coverage of the Par-3 Tournament. In 2008 a junior-patrons program was instituted, which allows one Augusta National Golf Club-accredited patron the opportunity to bring one junior patron to each competitive round of the Masters.

To advance the development of the game into regions underrepresented, Payne led the collaborative planning to create two competitions – the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2009 and the Latin America Amateur Championship in 2014. The winner of each event earns an invitation to the following year’s Masters Tournament.

With a desire of grow junior golf, the Drive, Chip and Putt competition was founded in 2013 as a joint initiative by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association, and the PGA of America. DCP is a free nationwide junior golf development competition focusing on the fundamental skills in golf, with the finals held at Augusta National the Sunday prior to the Masters each year.

In 2012, Payne announced that Augusta National Golf Club would admit its first female members, extending invitations to Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore. Until this point, the club had been male-only since its opening in 1932.

Payne retired as chairman in 2017, and in 2019 was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted as a Georgia Trustee, an honor given by the Georgia Historical Society to individuals whose accomplishments and community service reflect the ideals of the founding body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony.

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Robert Shaw inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame 3/31/25 3 min read
Jerry Pate inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame 4/4/25 3 min read

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