WMGA to Cease Operations after 111 Years, Transferring Assets and Historic Tournaments to MSGA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WMGA) ANNNOUNCES
HISTORIC AGREEMENT WITH THE MARYLAND STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION (MSGA)
WMGA to Cease Operations after 111 Years, Transferring Assets and Historic Tournaments to MSGA
Washington, DC (February 3, 2025) – Today the Washington Metropolitan Golf WMGA) announced it has ceased operations. The WMGA will transfer its assets and historic Amateur Golf Events to the Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA), the USGA designated Allied Golf Association (AGA) in our region.
The Washington Metropolitan Golf Association and its predecessor organization (the District of Columbia Golf Association) have been serving Washington area golfers since 1914. The WMGA is comprised of member golf clubs that are located within a 75-mile radius of the dome of the National Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The WMGA served as an information center for amateur golf activities in the Washington Metropolitan area and conducted numerous competitions during the golf season. The WMGA was active in providing Rules of Golf education to – its member clubs, high school golf teams, college golf teams, and other allied organizations including The First Tee and The Special Olympics of Maryland. WMGA volunteers have also helped officiate at and conduct high school competitions in Maryland and Virginia and college golf competitions up and down the east coast. WMGA rules officials have assisted at the highest levels of competition, including the U. S. Open, U. S. Women’s Open, U. S. Amateur and the Masters.
In 2024 the WMGA and the Mid-Atlantic Section of the PGA of America announced that three Washington area junior golf events, the 91-year-old Frank Emmet Schoolboy Championship, the 97-year-old Bob Riley Junior Open and the 74-year-old Bubby Worsham Memorial would be conducted by the Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Junior Tour.
In announcing the Agreement with the MSGA, Mary Ann Cronin, President of the WMGA stated:
“Since the early 20th century, the WMGA has conducted high level Junior Golf, Individual and Team events over many of the great courses in the Metropolitan DC area. These events were the cornerstones of the amateur golf season in the greater Washington area. We recognize that the world of amateur golf has dramatically changed in the 21st century and we believe that the best way to serve the many clubs and individuals who have supported us for over a century, going forward, is to move our assets to the Allied Golf Association (AGA) in our region. We believe the MSGA will best ensure the future of these events and preserve the legacy of their worthy champions. We are delighted that the MSGA will continue the Metropolitan Amateur, whose name may be changed back to the DC Amateur and continue participation in the Williamson Cup, a regional junior team competition.
Kelly Newland, PGA, Executive Director of the Maryland State Golf Association, added:
“The MSGA, since its founding in 1921 has pursued its mission to preserve, protect, and promote the game of golf through a variety of services to approximately 165 member clubs and 50,000 individual members throughout Maryland and District of Columbia. We believe the transfer of these historic assets and tournaments will result in significant future benefits to our mission, our member clubs and individual members and we look forward to our guardianship of the WMGA’s century of service to the golf community.”
For additional information:
Name: Kelly Newland
Phone: 410-653-5300
E-Mail: knewland@msga.org
To learn more about the MSGA visit their website HERE
Download the Press Release HERE
