Welcome to the latest edition of the CDGA President's letter. This is one of the many ways that OhioGolf.org keeps you informed and tuned in to the latest CDGA happenings.

CDGA: What can we do for YOU?

Despite the weak economy, CDGA club affiliates experienced many success stories in 2009. As our clubs test creative approaches to maintain membership and increase revenue, we vow to support our member clubs by way of our tournaments and by providing our professional services throughout Central Ohio.

I do not know if all persons reading this letter are aware of the services provided by the CDGA. Therefore, I would like to elaborate on the key activities provided. All area golf courses receive their course ratings from the dedicated raters of the CDGA. These men are USGA trained and provide a major aspect of fair competitive golf, not only for CDGA events but also for Club events. The rating system allows good golfers to compete on a level playing field with average golfers, who also love the game, on any course throughout the United States. Both private clubs and non-private clubs use this service.

The CDGA also provides a service for issuing USGA handicaps for golfers in central Ohio. Since the USGA requires that a certified handicap person be on each club's handicap committee, the CDGA holds periodic handicap seminars to accommodate this requirement. To be a certified handicap person, an individual must pass the test given at the end of the seminar. Without it, a USGA handicap will not be available to the club. This year I would like all club professionals, governors, and handicap/tournament committees to insist that guest scores be posted to the handicap system for scheduled tournament competitions. This is the only complaint heard last year from several of our affiliated club members. We must back the club professionals by requiring a GHIN number from each player so that scores may be posted.

We have an abundant amount of excellent golf courses among our affiliated clubs. If you have not played them all, the opportunity to do so is provided by the annual tournaments run by the Association. Look through the following pages to see the assortment of competitions held this past year. If your name is amongst the winners, great, you took the opportunity to play at one or more of these clubs. If not, then make the effort to sign up this year for one - hope to see your name listed. Your club professionals and governors (listed in this publication) have information regarding these tournaments and can assist you in signing up. The annual tournament schedule spreads the events evenly throughout the CDGA, in an effort to visit all affiliate clubs once every five or six years.

Your CDGA also recognizes several Ohio State University agronomy students each year with scholarships. These men and women become excellent Course Superintendents for courses throughout the United States. Another area where we help create golfing interest is in the guidance and support we offer to our member clubs' junior programs.

As far as honors this past year, we were pleased to see that Jim Popa, Executive Director of the OGA and CDGA, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Ohio Section of the PGA. This award is in recognition of amateur golfers who show excellence in the promotion of golf.

I am honored to serve as your President this year and I thank all the Governors who participate in committees that provide better golf in our district.

Sincerely,
Ferg Theibert
Columbus Country Club