Golf Association of Michigan Passes 100,000 Members

The Golf Association of Michigan has passed a major milestone with 100,000 members.

The GAM traces its origins to 1919, when it was known as the Detroit District Golf Association (which may itself have been the successor to the turn-of-the-century Michigan State Golf League). Members were all private clubs.

The Detroit District Golf Association went statewide in 1961, rebranding as the Golf Association of Michigan. The GAM thus began with 66 member clubs, 41 of which were in the Detroit metro area. The organization was still, however, exclusively for private clubs.

It was not until 1985 that GAM began accepting public courses as members, following a change to its by-laws.

Exclusivity prior to 1985 and the lingering odeur of exclusivity surely are among the reasons it took more than 100 years to break 100,000.

When I joined GAM, David Graham was the Executive Director. By all accounts, Graham inherited an organization that was struggling and deeply in debt. From my perspective, Graham focused appropriately on member development, launching things such as “Swing and Save” cards, GAM Golf Days, Net Tournaments for average golfers, and the Youth on Course program. Graham also built strong partnerships with other Michigan golf stakeholders, sch as the Michigan Section PGA, Michigan Golf Course Superintendents and the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association.

When Graham stepped down in 2019, the organization was on solid financial footing and was up to 55,000 members.

Former University of Michigan golf coach Chris Whitten then stepped into the Executive Director job. Whitten has taken what Graham started and run with it. Under Whitten, GAM has been more visible and active than ever.

Among current GAM membership benefits: GHIN handicap service; dozens of tournaments for all ages and skill levels; GAM Golf Days that let golfers play at some of the state’s top private and resort courses; Michigan Links annual directory (for which I have written several articles); Michigan E-Links biweekly newsletter; and special offers from various golf related companies.

Meanwhile, the GAM Foundation supports Youth on Course, offers grants to GAM Junior Tournament golfers; provides Michigan PGA Player Development grants; and scholarships for Ferris State University Professsional Golf Management students.

Member clubs can offer USGA Handicap Services; get official course ratings, drive traffic to their course through Swing and Save and other programs; and benefit financially when players purchase a GAM membership and select their club as their home course.

Still, for all that, in my golf travels around the state, I occasionally find myself at courses that are not GAM members (that shows up when I try to determine the course’s slope and rating; that’s always a disappointment).

I have not renewed my membership in the USGA for many years, but am happy to be a member of the GAM.

And now the GAM has more than 100,000 members.

Congratulations to the GAM staff, to the countless volunteers who make the organization possible, and also to every member. Membership matters.