Golf Emergency Relief Fund: Who qualifies, how to apply and how much it’s worth

With many people in the golf industry waiting for the green light for normal operations, the PGA of America is looking out for them. The governing body has introduced a relief fund for industry workers affected by the spread of the coronavirus.

The “Golf Emergency Relief Fund” began with a $5 million pledge by the PGA of America and has been contributed by other various governing bodies. The goal: $10 million.

“The golf industry is in an unprecedented crisis, and our friends, colleagues and their families need our help right away,” PGA President (and golf instructor) Suzy Whaley said. “People throughout golf are driven by a strong desire to help others every day. We have to ensure that the heart and soul of our game — our people — are able to get back on their feet and continue to serve others down the road. Eventually, golf will return, but we first need to reach out and help people in our industry during this national emergency.”

It is far from the only relief fund put forward by governing bodies. The USGA similarly set up a fund for its 59 allied golf associations across the country.

What do these funds mean for golf industry workers? Industry workers can begin applying for relief as soon as Thursday afternoon, April 16. Below is a list of groups eligible to apply for the Golf Emergency Relief Fund:

– PGA of America Professionals (includes Members, Students and Associates)
– LPGA Professionals (includes Members and Students/Apprentices)
– Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Members
– Employed or contracted as a caddie of one of the following caddie companies 
(Caddienow, Caddiemaster, 4C Caddies, Premier Caddies, ClubUp, CaddieU, Circuit Caddie and Caddy King)
– Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) members
– Players in developmental tours operated by the PGA TOUR (Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR China Series)
– Players in developmental tours operated by the LPGA (Symetra Tour)
– Employees of United States Golf Association (USGA) authorized Allied Golf Associations
– Employees of PGA of America Sections
– National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Members

Grants will be issued between $500 and $1,500 based on amount of need. A second phase of distribution will follow eventually, with grants up to $3,500 based on amount of need. For more information, check out the announcement made by the PGA here.

As for the USGA fund, allied golf associations can apply for $100,000 grants to help maintain operations throughout every region of the country.

“These golf associations are the backbone of the recreational and competitive golf communities at the local, state and regional level,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “They play a vital role not only in delivering the USGA’s core services, but also in engaging millions of golfers across the country at the local level. This support will help enable the game to make a strong return once it’s safe to do so.”

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