The usual role of superintendents and their teams at professional golf events is getting the course ready for play, but as a GCSAA member, you can enjoy complimentary admission to designated golf events.
From Korn Ferry, LPGA and PGA Tour stops to the U.S. Open and Masters, your GCSAA membership can be your ticket to golf’s biggest events. This week, many GCSAA members will have the opportunity to use their complimentary admission to the Masters, and some make it an annual event.
Ryan Swilley, CGCS, director of agronomy at the Dye Preserve in Jupiter, Fla., is part of a group of members from the Palm Beach GCSA who have been making the annual pilgrimage to Augusta together for the better part of the last decade. “It’s always a paramount experience of the year,” Swilley, an 18-year GCSAA member, said. “It always lends itself to wonderful camaraderie and sharing of ideas.”
The group from the Palm Beach chapter usually rents a place together, but they also reach out to their fellow members from other parts of Florida to meet up on the course.
“It provides so much value and gives us a great appreciation for our time together,” Swilley said. “I think our time at the Masters more than pays for your membership.”
That is a sentiment shared by others who take advantage of this special member benefit. The Masters reports that an average of 1,500 GCSAA members use this benefit each year.
“I regularly hear how meaningful the Masters admission benefit is for our Class A members,” Jason Powers, manager, membership development, said. “It’s more than just a ticket. It’s access to one of golf’s most iconic events. Those who qualify understand how fortunate they are to experience the Masters and be part of the game at the highest level.”
If a trip to the Masters isn’t in the cards for you, there are numerous opportunities for your GCSAA membership card to grant you free admission to PGA Tour, USGA, PGA of America, LPGA, Champions and Korn Ferry events across the country.
The governing body of each event determines which GCSAA membership classifications are admitted entry, which days you can attend and if you may bring guests. For the latest entry rules for each tour and event, visit gcsaa.org/who-we-are/membership/complimentary-tournament-admission.