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      • Junior Tour SiteOur statewide junior golf program is for all skill levels between the ages of 5 and 18.
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      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.
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        • 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.
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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.
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      Information provided to GSGA Members on golf instruction, industry news, education and more.

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      • Play. Grow. Lead.Golf, the Georgia way.
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      • 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.
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  • 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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3 min read

Robert Shaw inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame

Luke McCarthy, GSGA

Born in Cartersville, Ga., Robert Shaw and his family moved to Dalton where he grew up. He played varsity football and basketball at Dalton High School. Shaw inherited his competitive spirit from his family, a spirit which would serve him well throughout his professional life.

As a teenager, Shaw worked at his father’s business, Star Dye Company, which dyed bed sheets, robes and rugs in Dalton. After high school Shaw attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Despite being enrolled for four years, Shaw did not earn a degree. When his father died in 1958, Shaw and his brother took over the company while merging into the carpet industry. The Shaw brothers began making carpet in 1967. By 1986, Shaw Industries was the top-ranked carpet maker. Shaw would serve as founder and CEO until he retired in 2006.

As a young professional, Shaw once stood atop Mount Sinai in Dalton. That’s where he envisioned the landscape would be perfect for a championship golf course. Years later in 1984 that land was purchased. By early 1985, Shaw hired architect Tom Fazio to design a golf course. Fazio described this piece of property as having an unusual natural beauty. The construction of the golf course officially began in June of 1986. The course was named The Farm – named after the McArthur Farm which once occupied the property. It opened in June of 1988. Phase one was the golf course. Phase two came in the spring of 1991, which included club facilities and a guest lodge.

Shaw has always shown a commitment to the support and promotion of amateur golf. The Farm has been a generous supporter as well. The club has hosted some major competitions contested in the amateur game over the years. It was host of the annual Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic, which was recognized as one of the premier tournaments in collegiate golf. Contested at The Farm from 1989 to 2019, numerous collegiate All-Americans and participants of U.S. Walker Cup teams competed. The Southern Amateur Championship was held at The Farm in 1993, as was the 2005 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

The Farm has also been the host site to many of the top amateur competitions in the state of Georgia, including the Georgia Amateur Championship in 1990 won by Georgia Golf Hall of Fame member Allen Doyle, and the 1996 Georgia Women’s Amateur Championship won by Kim Lisi. It also hosted the 2013 Georgia Junior Championship won by Marcus Byrd, a multi-winner on the APGA Tour, and the 1997 Georgia Senior Championship won by Bill Ploeger, a member of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.

In 2001 Shaw created the Clay Dykes Invitational in honor of his late friend, which transformed into one of the country’s top senior amateur tournaments.

Years before developing The Farm into a championship golf course and upscale residential community, Shaw was instrumental in taking Dalton Golf & Country Club from a 9-hole facility to an 18-hole championship golf course. He was the club's president in the early 1970s.

Shaw regularly gives back to the Northwest Georgia community, supporting the local hospital, Boys and Girls Clubs and the Boy Scouts.

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Related Posts

Jerry Pate inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame 4/4/25 3 min read
Billy Payne inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame 4/11/25 2 min read

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