Common nga tournament misconceptions

The Northern Ontario Amateur Golf Championships are only geared toward low handicap golfers.

      False, the NGAs are designed to gather golfers from all over Northern Ontario in order to compete in a fun

      amateur event as well as provide an annual gathering of the Northern Golf Clubs. It is an opportunity for

      golfers to meet new people as well as test themselves on a personal level, or simply just come for the

      great experience.

Only the best golfers walk away with prizes.

     False, the NGAs are flighted, just like other tournaments. That means you will be grouped in flights that

     will have you playing against other players of similar caliber. Thus, you could walk away with prizes worth

     upwards of $250+ in value.

Golfers at the NGAs are too serious.

     This is a common misconception in tournaments everywhere, golfers who are biding for the top prize, will

     understandably be extra focused on their games during their rounds, but truly they are are there to have a

     good time. Most golfers look forward to the time in between rounds where they get to mingle with other

     golfers.

     Many golfers are intimidated because they feel they will be judged during their round, that just isn't the

     case, people are too focused on their own games to care about yours. Nobody wants to see somebody

     struggle, and when it does happen that you are having a little tougher time that day, you might notice that

     all golfers are more encouraging than critical. I don't believe there are any golfers who truly want to

     discourage people to play golf, so the idea that people are criticizing you behind your back is just

     ridiculous.

     On the other side of it, if you are a skilled player, try to make people feel welcome. Sometimes we forget

     we were all there before, scared of what people will think or say if you miss the ball or break a rule by

     mistake. It is our jobs to educate, not intimidate. That way we can potentially see tournament

     participation rise again.