The USGA Members Program continues to pave the road to success.

We are proud to report that by year end, we now communicate with more than one million golfers through our E-News, E-Links, and direct-mail communications. More specifically, our acquisition and retention efforts increased the membership base to 950,000.  Our online e-member conversion program, E-Links, targeted at non-USGA golfers, grew from 30,000 to 148,000 and continues to show great promise. 

In 2007, another top priority was to expand our communication horizons through the recently formed corporate partnerships with American Express and Lexus.

This year with American Express we implemented various initiatives utilizing a multi-marketing channel approach to maximize our membership growth opportunities.

Special offers were developed for AMEX Cardmembers as well as Member Rewards program participants. 

In addition, we were in market utilizing statements; both in a print and online application and through American Express Publishing we were able to offer a Travel & Leisure Golf subscription as an added benefit for members renewing at Champion Club level and above. 

Looking ahead to 2008 and beyond, the effort to effectively communicate the USGA story and provide a meaningful proposition to our Members and prospects alike remains to be the primary goal of the Members Program.

The USGA provides member clubs, courses and training facilities with materials to assist with their golf programs.

The USGA welcomed 269 clubs to membership, including 240 course properties, 22 clubs without real estate and seven practice facilities. Among the course properties, 82 percent allow public play and 40 percent are owned by one owner or a small partnership.

Although membership continued to be affected by the abrupt closing of golf course properties, the department offset the losses by locating more than a hundred new places of play to invite as USGA subscribers. It is possible that another 100 courses will schedule their opening in the year 2008.

The number of subscriptions to E-news at members clubs grew to 7,700 compared to 5,000 a year ago.

The top five states for club membership additions were: