BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

If you're an avid golfer looking for organized events, Spear Golf Club has several benefits to offer you.

• Fun, Fellowship and Friendship on and off the golf course is what Spear Golf Club represents.  We offer a learning environment for new golfers; we promote friendly competitiveness; and we do a little 'trash talking'.

• Western States Golf Association (WSGA) affiliation includes an opportunity to associate with over 2,000 African American golfers in the six western states.  There are approximately 30 clubs (including five in Northern California).  Spear has home & home play with several of the NorCal clubs.  WSGA hosts its annual 3-day championship tournament in June each year, at various venues in the western states (including Sun River Resort in Oregon, San Diego, Reno, NV and Palm Springs for 2006-2008).  WSGA provides GHIN handicaps and publishes a quarterly newsletter for members.

• Tournaments are scheduled each month at a course in Northern California.  This allows our members to play at different courses without the hassle of securing a tee time.  Our tournaments are played under the Rules of Golf and we support our members in learning golf etiquette and the rules of golf.  Monthly tournament play includes gross and net prizes, closest to the pin, and an optional skins game.  The tournament schedule is published at the beginning of each year.

• Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) Affiliation includes the annual directory of Northern California courses and 'NCGA Golf'. This quarterly publication features stories on golf courses and tournaments, along with features on instructions, the rules of golf and other golf-related items.  Members seeking more competitive golf are eligible to participate in NCGA qualifying tournaments.

• Discounted Member Fees are paid by NCGA members at the two NCGA owned and operated golf courses, Poppy Hills GC in Pebble Beach and Poppy Ridge GC in Livermore. Members also receive a 20% discount on all merchandise purchased at Poppy Hills and Poppy Ridge, and NCGA rebates are offered for memberships in two or more NCGA clubs.

• USGA Handicaps are provided through WSGA and NCGA.  The handicap service includes a GHIN (Golf Handicap & Information Network) handicap.  The GHIN system provides handicap computation services approved by USGA.  Members have the option of posting their scores at the golf course or online through the GHIN system.  Member handicaps (and rounds played) can be viewed online through GHIN.  Members who join without a handicap require five 18-hole scores posted in order to establish one through Spear Golf Club.

• Spear News, a monthly newsletter, includes tournament results, member news, golf tips, rules of golf, golf related activities, and other club information.