According to the National Golf Foundation, total on-course golf participation rose to 29.1 million in 2025 from 24.3 million in 2019, an increase of nearly 20 percent. By adding off-course participation, the number climbed more than 40 percent to 48.1 million. This post-COVID-19 swell precipitated high-water marks in revenue for Allied Golf Associations, the keepers of the amateur game at the statewide level across the nation. Thanks to the seismic growth spurts in membership numbers and significant increases in competitors in their respective events, the AGAs have enjoyed a head-turning monetary infusion. The increase in participation also translates to expansion of programs, projects, initiatives, and tournaments beyond the usual scope of AGA core business, which includes handicapping and course rating in addition to staging competitions. “Membership is the engine that drives all that we do,” said Mass Golf executive director Jesse Menachem. “It’s our U.S. Open that supports all of our programs and services at the local level.” AGA ...