Founded in 2001

Mailing Address:
PO Box 970
Uxbridge, Ontario, L9P 1N3

Courier Address:
40 Elgin Park Drive
Uxbridge, Ontario, L9P 1N2

Phone: 905.852.1101
Toll Fee: 800.668.2949
Fax: 905.852.8893
Website: www.gao.ca
Email: administration@gao.ca

Executive Director: Dave Mills

Director of Handicapping and Course Rating: Craig Loughry

Director of Rules and Competitions: Dave Colling

Active Season: April 15 to October 15
Revision Schedule

Description:

The Golf Association as it is currently structured came into being in November of 2001, following the amalgamation of the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies Golf Association. Prior to the amalgamation, the OGA and the OLGA had represented amateur golfers in Ontario for close to 80 years and had done an excellent job of building and promoting the game.

At the time of the amalgamation only Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan had taken the step towards amalgamation. Since that time all of the Provincial Golf Associations have amalgamated and in 2005 the Royal Canadian Golf Association and the Canadian Ladies Golf Association completed the process.

In the early days of Golf Associations in Ontario you had small associations, representing Private Clubs in the Toronto area and providing a service that was specific to golf championships. Over our history the association has grown to the point where today our Club Members include Private Clubs, Semi Private Clubs and Public Golf Clubs. The majority of our individual members are at the Private and Semi Private Clubs, but the association also offers opportunities for individuals to join directly as members of a Public Player Program. At the present time the GAO represents over 420 Member Clubs and over 115,000 individuals making it one of the largest Amateur Golf Associations in the world.

The services provided by the Golf Association of Ontario have gone from initially being focused on Tournaments to a wide range of programs that include:

a)     Course and Pace Rating of all Member Clubs.

b)    Handicap Services through a Provincial Web Based Network of Member Clubs.

c)     Player Development, ranging from the grass roots level of introducing individuals to the game, up to working with accomplished players to help them be the best they can be.

d)     Scholarship Programs.

e)     Seminars on a range of subjects, including Rules, Course Rating, Scholarships, Member Services, Player Development.

f)     Support for Industry issues.

g)     Communications – through our web site, electronic news, Ontario Golf magazine.

The Golf Association of Ontario is affiliated with the Royal Canadian Golf Association in providing Member Services, carrying out National Programs and working for the growth of the game. The GAO also maintains important working relationships with a number of Allied Golf Associations, including the Club Managers Association, the Ontario Golf Course Superintendents, the Ontario PGA and the Ontario Chapters of the National Golf Course Owners Association.

As the Golf Association of Ontario continues to grow, we reflect back on those who have contributed countless hours and hard work to the growth of the Association. Prior to amalgamation, Past Presidents of Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies Golf Association are cherished by all members, staff and volunteers for their hard work while in office.