American Singles Golf Association

SINGLES GOLF . . . MATCHES AND MATES

With golf at a high level of popularity and bars emptying-out due to the social taboos of drinking and smoking, these people are finding the golf course a great place to meet and enjoy other singles.  Spending five hours with someone in a natural setting creates the perfect environment to learn what others are made of.  Here is a story about a three-year-old national organization whose purpose is to set-up new chapters around the country for single people who play golf . . .

             Green fairways beckon, as singles head to the links in pursuit of the perfect swing  - - and possibly the perfect mate.  The national obsession with the game (golf, that is) is quickly turning the golf course into one of the hottest new places for single adults to meet and socialize. 

            Gone are the days when singles bars, computer dating, and sheer luck were the only opportunities for singles to mingle.  And while singles night at the local grocery store or laundromat can still be found on occasion, most singles are hoping to meet someone with whom they have more in common than laundry or groceries.  This is certainly the case for the many singles whose shared passion for golf has brought them together as members of The American Singles Golf Association.  

            "What better place could there be for unattached golf loving adults to get acquainted than the golf course?"  This was Tom Alsop's thought when he started the American Singles Golf Association in 1995 - - and apparently a lot of other golf minded singles agree.   The resulting brain child of Alsop, a 40-something single who resides in Charlotte, NC, is a non-profit social organization for single, divorced, widowed and legally separated adults with an interest in golf.

            In just over three years, the organization has grown from its single chapter infancy to a national organization of 20+ chapters located in cities throughout the country.  Recently, a new chapter was set-up in San Diego.    Additional chapters are currently in development and Alsop expects the number of chapters and members to continue to grow at 15-20 per year.

            "The interest and enthusiasm has been phenomenal,” says Alsop.  Depending on demographics of each chapter's area, typical first year growth for a new chapter is 50 to 400 members.  Some chapters are reaching these numbers in a matter of months, as was demonstrated in Atlanta when ASGA headquarters received nearly 500 calls from interested single golfers following a small article that appeared in the Atlanta Journal. 

            And why all the excitement?  Alsop summarizes it this way:  "This is the greatest environment for getting to know other people.  It’s fun, it’s healthy, it’s safe, and the four hours or so that it takes to play a round of golf allows plenty of time for observing others at their best, and sometimes their not so best.  Is this an organization for scratch golfers?  "Not so," says Alsop.  "The level of members' golf expertise varies from single digit handicaps to those who are fairly new to the game, - - with average chapter handicaps running around 20."

            One ASGA member adds his own take on the organization's popularity:  "I really enjoy golf.  Its natural to want to be with others who also enjoy your favorite pastime and this is the perfect way to meet other single golfers.”

Fun, Fellowship and Fairways

            Local chapters are run by chapter officers and committees - - volunteers that take a leadership role in their chapter's operations.  Viewed as yet another opportunity to get together with fellow members and have some fun, chapter officers maintain that it doesn't take much time and it doesn't look bad on your resume either.  Whatever their reasons, it’s apparent that these singles are having the time of their lives. 

            A dinner meeting and at least one golf event is held by ASGA chapters each month.  Some chapters play golf more than once a month and large chapters, such as the one in Atlanta with 500+ members, may have something planned every weekend.  Members have the opportunity to enjoy a number of very fine courses at rates negotiated for ASGA golf events.  Non-golf socials are held also but golf is definitely the primary focus.  The organization's motto is, after all, "Fun, Fellowship, and Fairways."

            Members from existing chapters enthusiastically share their comments regarding their membership in ASGA:  "Its been great - - really a lot of fun."  "Just the nicest bunch of people, and I wouldn't have met them under other circumstances."  "Its like a new family."  "I really enjoy playing a number of different courses."  "Its a relaxed way to meet new people and  I've made a whole new set of friends.” 

Tournaments and Trips

             Regional and interchapter golf tournaments --a chance to meet and play golf with singles from other areas, are very popular with the membership.  And as Alsop puts it, "seeing 44 to 144 or more golfers, all single, turning out for a day of fun, is pretty darn cool.” 

            The search for Mr. Goodpar or Ms. Goodwedge doesn't necessarily get put on hold when members are away from home, either.  Members planning a trip who are interested in playing a round of golf while traveling can check for scheduled ASGA golf events in the areas in which they plan to visit.

            Four multi-chapter golf weekends are planned each year at a time of the year when the weather is perfect.  These weekend gatherings usually comprise 250+ golfers from various chapters shotgunning three days of golf.  Golf is typically followed by a cookout, dancing, meeting and making new friends.  Current trip destinations include a weekend trip to Pinehurst, NC, and a summer trip to the golf courses in the Appalachian Mountains and a millennium party weekend at Kiawah Island or Hilton Head Island.

Finding Love on the Links is Not Expensive!

            Although golf by itself is an expensive sport, ASGA’s dues are only $5.00 per month, or $60 per year, and they drop to $55 for each year thereafter.  Members receive a membership card, ASGA bag tag, golf club identification labels (to wrap around your golf clubs in case you lose them on the course), a monthly newsletter, membership roster, and various national and local discounts.  But the biggest benefit, all members agree, is the steady stream of new friends.  “You know some of these new friends will be with you for your lifetime,” says Alsop.  “You know in your heart you’re doing the right thing for yourself, both mentally and physically.”

The San Diego Chapter

            A San Diego chapter of ASGA was formed recently and members meet on a regular basis at a local restaurant and play golf monthly.    To receive information about joining, call the national office at 1-800-599-2815 on its 24-hour voice mail.  The national group has recently set-up a web site, and you can register for more information.  The site’s address is www.singlesgolf.com.