ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 24, 2013) - The MGA recently concluded its annual series of Spring Educational Forums which provided innovative and interactive programming for MGA Members, club leaders, and interested golfers in the Met Area. A wide range of topics were covered including the Rules of Golf, the Handicapping system, golf course maintenance, and caddying. Experts in each field were on hand to host the seminars, including representatives from the MGA and USGA, golf professionals, course superintendents, and various special guest speakers.

• Starting in early March, the MGA hosted three Regional Rules Seminars for MGA Rules and Competitions Committee Members and three Handicap and Rules Seminars for MGA member club Handicap Chairs and MGA members. Both seminars had the same focus of presenting the most common rules issues and questions that come up regularly both in competition and friendly rounds of golf. 

• At the annual MGA/Met PGA Rules Workshop held this year at Brae Burn Country Club, Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules of Golf & Amateur Status at the USGA, spoke and answered questioned about the highly debated proposed ban on anchoring, as well as the USGA's increased education initiatives. 

RELATED: Educational Series Photo Gallery

• The MGA Green Chairman Education Series & Arthur P. Weber Environmental Awards Luncheon took place on March 27 at Willow Ridge Country Club. Several industry leaders presented on topics ranging from green speeds, regrassing, best management practices for golf courses, slow play issues, and concluded with an update from the Tri-State Turf Research Foundation. The day also included a USGA championship update from Jeff Hall, Director of the Walker Cup Championship, and Ben Kimball, Director of the U.S. Women’s Open, both of which will be held in Southampton, Long Island later this year (National Golf Links of America and Sebonack Golf Club, respectively). Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, Conn., was the recipient of the seventh Arthur P. Weber MGA Club Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. 

• The MGA Club Rep Program held their annual spring meeting at the Apawamis Club in early April where representatives from MGA clubs had the chance to compare notes and interact with representatives from other clubs. The goal of the meeting was to discuss best practices for clubs regarding membership initiatives, marketing strategies, and communications. Kyla Basso, Director of Membership & Marketing at Paramount Country Club, and Ian Gillule, Membership Development Manager at the Saint Andrew's Golf Club, joined over 70 club reps.

• Following the school day, juniors from all around the Met Area got a different kind of lesson at one of  nine MGA Caddie Academies throughout April at various clubs and courses. These one-day, job-specific training programs were met with record attendance as over 500 future caddies learned from previous caddies and Caddie Masters about continuing one of the oldest traditions in golf.