The Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) is a great way for veterans and their families to connect by way of their love for the game of golf. Or even if you don't love it (yet). Tournaments are set up across the country by state directors and are open to anyone enrolled in the VGA, no matter where they live. Members (players) are responsible for the course green fees but usually at a reduced rate negotiated by the director. And you may play a few courses you wouldn't otherwise. You gain points by playing and even more by playing well. Points go towards being eligible for regional finals and the nationals. I've played in a number of tournaments over the past few years, including the Western regional finals this year in Arizona. A couple of points that potential members might wonder about. One, tournaments aren't what you might imagine when a group of veterans get together. There's little overt military hyperbole and very little trash-talk, drunken carousing vets can unfortunately sometimes get wrapped up in. In fact, the VGA tries to make events family friendly, even if for any particular event it's just a bunch of guys showing up (Women veterans are eligible too but so far, the guys outnumber them considerably. That hopefully will change as VGA grows.) Past military experiences are often talked about but most conversation revolves around golf. I have yet to see much discussion of politics. Second, you don't need to be a great golfer, or even a good golfer. I'm mediocre (~20 handicap) and I fit right in. The tournaments are played by flights based on handicap but really, if you don't particularly care about 'winning', it's just like any round you might play, except with fellow vets. Although rounds are played according to USGA rules - with a couple of VGA modifications - it's still a pretty casual atmosphere. I'm a fan. read more

Veteran Golfers Association - Veterans Organizations Near Me - Pinehurst, North Carolina

The "Veterans" Golf Association has gotten like other large organizations, the members have gotten lost in the blob. Its wrought with bureaucracy and regulations. Ironically, vets who took an oath to uphold the constitution cannot bring their constitutionally protected firearm with them to events. Furthermore, if you sign up for an event and cancel ahead of time, they claim your registration fee is not refundable just transferable. However, there is not a mechanism to transfer your fee they claim is transferable. The slow play is exhausting and even though they do a briefing on slow play they're too scared to enforce it. Additionally, they claim you cannot request to be paired with someone however if you're in good with the state director he'll pair you up. As usually hypocrisy has taken over this organization as well. It is entirely too expensive and other reviews are correct, you have to have quite a bit of money to play in most events. The skins games are a scam as well. They are geared towards the high handicap players winning. I've won events and walked away with a useless pin and no skins. I've also seen poor reviews blocked by the VGA, lots of integrity there. I don't recommend joining, just play with your buddies. read more

was a member for a couple years, from illinois. this review is based from my experience playing in illinois, it could be different from other states depending on how they run things. starting with cost, ive seen management tell people its around 40 to 50 bucks per event, i'm not sure if that number includes the additional 20 dollar fee for every event. even so, i did the math for 2023, the average cost of all event in illinois was around 70 dollars. Now, for an event with competition and prize, its not bad. However, the only prize you would get is a pin shaped of the state, or a sleeve of golf balls if someone were to sponsor for ctp. As for competition, most events had around 15 to 20 golfers, that is then divided into several flights where at the end, you might only be competing against 2-4 guys. local management changes often, from what i hear the state management does ask a lot from local management. i never wanted to go to state, regional, and nationals due to cost and lack of time. but for people that want to do that, all you need is 3 regular event participation and winning the state and regional. that is simple. the arm forces cup is only for the rich. to qualify for arm forces cup, you will have to get to a top percentage of points from your service branch. to achieve that, you will have to play in a lot of events, that amount will require you to travel out of state for a while. the way the points work is like this, you show up you get 10 points, and you can win up to 5 more points depending on how you do. i want to say the people who were qualify had around 500 to 700 points depending on the branch so you can do the math. To put it simply, if you want to just play golf with vets, just look for some facebook groups and save yourself some money, and if you like to play in regionals and nationals, make sure you got lots of money and time. on a fun note, when someone was lying about when a tournament was like, and i commented on what i was like where i was, i was then blocked from that VGA page. that should tell you a little about the management read more

I joined the VGA 4 years ago. It is great for veteran comroderie, over the last 4 years we have seen annual dues go from $40 to $76 registration for tournaments have gone from $10 to $20 and I just played in the south regional tournament where registration was $260. Disclaimer at regionals was, "do not risk heat exhaustion for this trophy" why has this tournament been played at this course for the last 3 years in August in Alabama. It was 97 degrees 45% humidity with a real feel of 110 both days. Absolutely ridiculous, I had to take my playing partner back to the clubhouse because of heat exhaustion, and I'm met with "well we can't control the weather" from the regional director. Absolutely ridiculous. Prices have gone up, trophies have stayed the same, amount have people have increased, it is starting to feel like a money grab rather than vets getting together for a good cause. It has blown my mind over the last year how much this organization has changed, and not for the better. We should not be making people feel miserable because of possible heat exhaustion and just using "well we can control the weather" as an excuse. I am moving to florida come October and am hoping that state is ran a little differently even though I understand it's in the same region. Something has to change, state and regional directors need to have a little more accountability than they do. I know they're job isn't easy, but planning could be a lot better read more