NAGA

NAGA is a national golf organization comprised of the Canadian Golf Industry Association, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, Canadian Professional Golfers Association, Canadian Society of Club Managers, Canadian Professional Golf Tour, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and the Royal Canadian Golf Association, dedicated to improving all sectors of golf in Canada. Formed seven years ago, NAGA’s objective is to work cooperatively together as industry leaders ensuring a strong future for golf in Canada.

The National Allied Golf Associations has embarked on a united effort to grow the game of golf in Canada. The reasons for this effort are clear; most sectors of the industry, especially ‘rounds played’ and ‘number of golfers’, have generally experienced no growth or a decline during the past few years. In addition, other factors such as the oversupply of golf courses, the lack of available leisure time and the changing expectations of consumers have all put downward pressures on industry growth in many regions of the country. While these trends are alarming, there are still many positives to be considered, and the current situation in Canada might be worse if it were not for an industry that’s now more aware of these challenges, more educated in marketing and customer service and more proactive in implementing grow the game programs. Fortunately, this country continues to have one of the highest percentages of golfers. It would irresponsible however to assume that we are doing all we can or that golf in Canada will be spared some of the new realities facing golf in other countries (such as the United States) or even other sports and activities. A proactive strategy that addresses these challenges and reverses these trends is needed. The opinion of the golf industry is that an umbrella strategy, supported by the national associations and their members, will have a greater impact on growing the game than individual groups working on their own.

The mission of this umbrella strategy, called Play Golf, is “to facilitate an industry lead, united, national strategy to grow the game of golf in Canada”.