Headline: MGA Member Day Program Set to Open Registration and Debut an Expanded Schedule and New Features in 2016

For Immediate Release: February 21, 2016

Indian Pond CC - May 9

Franklin CC - July 25

Pocasset GC - October 25

Norton, MA — The wait is almost over.

On Thursday, March 24th registration will go live for all MGA Member Day events. The MGA Member Day program was launched in 2010 in order to provide unique and affordable playing opportunities to MGA member golfers of all skill and age levels.

What began as a pilot program has grown into one of the most popular member services offered by the MGA.

“We have enjoyed seeing the growth of this important program,” said Jesse Menachem, the MGA’s executive director. “The positive response that we have received from the individual golfers and Member Clubs that host these events has been rewarding and has allowed us to invest time and resources to expand the program.”

The 2016 schedule is one of the biggest to date with 15 premier sites decorating the calendar of events. A total of 12 sites have been released with four more to be announced at a later date.

CLICK HERE to view the schedule.

The season will kick off on May 2nd at Renaissance in Haverhill. It marks the second time that the Haverhill layout has hosted an MGA Member Day. Indian Pond Country Club – the host site of the 2015 Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship – will open its doors one week later.

A return engagement at Wianno Club and then a trip to nearby Willowbend will follow in mid May to serve as a highlight of the “spring wave” of MGA Member Days, and then Fall River Country Club will host its second MGA Member Day in four years on June 7.

Franklin Country Club will also be the site of the first MGA Member Day ever to be held in July. The 18-hole private layout will open its doors to a full field on Monday, July 25th.

“Participants will also notice that we are hosting events on less traditional days,” said Shawn Bennett, the MGA’s manager of member services and championships who oversees the Member Day program. “For the first time in program history, we will have Member Days offered on all five weekdays, which will fit better for what we know are becoming even busier work and life schedules.”

The fall months will see the MGA Member Day program travel to three popular former hosts (Acoaxet Club – September 15; The Ridge Club – October 5; Woods Hole Golf Club – October 12) as well as a handful of first-time sites such as Bear Hill Golf Club (August 29), The Club at New Seabury (October 17) and Pocasset Golf Club (October 25).

In addition, Bennett noted a change in the registration process. A new lottery-based registration system will be introduced in order to allow for a more streamlined and equitable system of entry into all MGA Member Day events.

An instructional video – featuring former WCVB-TV sports director Mike Dowling – will provide detailed instructions on the new and simple registration system. However, Bennett explains that all interested players will have the ability to enter a lottery – up to four players per lottery entry – for any of the MGA Member Day events.

“The new system will provide more transparency and fair means of filling spots,” said Bennett. “We sell out more than 90% of all events, so we want to make sure we are maximizing the opportunity for all.”

One thing that won’t change this season, however, will be the cost per player. All Member Day events are $80 per person, which includes golf, cart and range balls.

“Accessibility and affordability are our priorities,” said Menachem. “We are committed to a program that will give all golfers a chance to play great golf courses, enjoy an MGA Championship experience and have fun all at the same time.”

The only requirement for registering for an MGA Member Day is that a participant must have an active USGA/MGA GHIN number. Individuals are able to manage GHIN #s directly through clubs and – new in 2015 – online via the MGA Members Now! program (click here to learn more).

“Since 1903, our mission has been to preserve and promote amateur golf through our membership of Member Clubs,” said Menachem. “We are dedicated now more than ever to our mission statement and to making this great game of golf accessible to more golfers throughout the Commonwealth. We feel that programs such as Member Days and Members Now! is moving us in the right direction.”