About the South African Golf Association (SAGA)
The South African Golf Association (SAGA) is the governing body for male amateur golf in South Africa formed by the unification of the South African Golf Union (white) and the South African Golf Association (black) in September 1992 to form the South African Golf Federation. In 1997 the name was changed to the South African Golf Association.
The South African Golf Association (SAGA) Executive Committee consists of three office bearers plus 18 nominated members and a Co-Opted Member who serves as the Associations legal advisor. The Office Bearers, President, Senior Vice-President and a Second-Vice President, are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting in terms of the Associations Constitution, the President may only hold office for a maximum period of 2 years. At the end of this time it is general practice for the Senior Vice-President to become President. The 18 executive members are nominated by their respective provincial unions.
This committee, together with the full time Executive Director and Asssistant Executive Director of the association, meet twice a year in March and September, during the playing of the Amateur Championship and the Inter-Provincial Tournament respectively. The association is affiliated to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and by its Constitution it is bound by the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status.
There are currently 8 national Tournament administered by the South African Golf Association, these are:
- SA Open Championship
- SA Amateur Championship
- SA Amateur Stroke Play Championship
- SA Inter-Provincial Tournament
- SA Country Districts Tournament
- SA Under 23 Teams Championship
- SA Mid Amateur Inter-Provincial Tournament
- SA Challenge Inter-Provincial Tournament
In addition to these national Tournaments each of the Provincial Unions has a full calendar of events every year.
The SAGA in conjunction with Women's Golf South Africa (WGSA) is also responsible for controlling and administering the Handicapping System for all affiliated golfers in the Country. The Association arranges international events for representative teams and awards National Colours to those participants.