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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

Wayne Yates Enshrined into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame

Luke McCarthy, GSGA

Born in Atlanta, Ga., Wayne Curtis (Yates) and his younger sister, Shirley, grew up in a children’s home – the Southern Christian Orphanage. Up until the age of 13, his social life consisted of spending time playing outside with the other children in the home, what he would call his 60 brothers and sisters.

In 1955 at age 13, one of those brothers told Curtis about a job he had making a little money as a caddie at Candler Park Golf Course in Atlanta. Once it was explained what caddying was, he was interested and joined his friend the next morning at the course. Curtis made $7.50 that first day as a caddie and couldn’t wait to tell his sister that they no longer had money problems.

The golf professional at Candler Park was Jim Yates. He noticed the teenager was working hard and seemed to have an interest in learning more. The golf pro began teaching him the game, loaned him clubs and offered lessons. The relationship between the two continued to grow, and learning his childhood was spent at a children’s home, Yates and his wife adopted Curtis, officially changing his name to Wayne Yates.

The next few years Yates continued learning the game and started playing more and more. In 1962 he won his first Atlanta Open. From there he quickly made a name for himself on the golf scene in Georgia. He added two more Atlanta Open titles in 1966 and 1968. Yates joined the PGA of America in the 1960s, and in 1969 he was hired as the head golf professional at Indian Hills Country Club in Marietta. While working he continued playing competitively, which included a nine-year stint on the PGA TOUR (1970-78), four U.S. Opens (1968-71) and four PGA Championships (1966, 1968, 1970, 1972).

Though his days playing professionally were relatively short-lived, Yates made the most of them. He totaled five Atlanta Open titles (1962, 1966, 1968, 1973, 1974) and two Georgia PGA Championships (1972, 1977). For his efforts, Yates was awarded multiple Georgia PGA Player of the Year honors.

Once his time on the professional tour ended, Yates returned to work as golf professional at Mystery Valley Golf Club in Atlanta (1980-89). In 1985 he suffered a stroke which ultimately ended his playing career.

Yates passed away in December of 2019.

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Related Posts

George Jones III Finds Purpose Through GSGA’s Adaptive Golf Program 11/22/24 2 min read
Robert Shaw inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame 3/31/25 3 min read

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