United States Golf Association

“The usga is an association of member clubs and courses. While application for membership is open to any golf club, golf course or golf training facility, as specified and defined in the usga by-laws, voting privileges are limited to member clubs. Voting privileges do not extend to member courses or to member golf training facilities. Membership applications are reviewed and subject to approval or rejection at the discretion of the executive committee. Membership is automatically continuous unless interrupted by written resignation or expulsion in accordance with usga by-laws. Acceptance of membership binds each member to uphold all provisions of the usga's certificate of incorporation, by-laws and other rules, to accept and enforce all rules and decisions of the executive committee acting within its jurisdiction and to otherwise conduct itself in a manner that furthers the interests of the usga to promote the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf. (the usga is organized and exists under the non-profit corporation laws of the state of delaware. The usga is a non-stock entity.)”

“The executive committee is the governing body of the usga. The executive committee consists of 14 voting members, including the 1 officer. Each member of the executive committee is elected to a set term with a set amount of term limits at the annual meeting of the usga and holds office until his or her term expires or until his or her resignation or removal. Each member club is entitled to be represented by one voting delegate at the annual meeting of the usga. Duly certified proxies may be voted by voting delegates at the annual meeting of the usga.”

“The usga by-laws provide that they may be altered or repealed by member clubs acting pursuant to the by-laws.”

“The federal form 990 is compiled by the usga's tax firm grant thornton. After the usga's tax firm grant thornton has thoroughly reviewed the federal form 990 and deemed it to be accurate and complete, the federal form 990 is reviewed with the ceo and the audit committee. Before the federal form 990 is signed by an officer and submitted to the irs, a full copy of the document, including all attachments, is provided to each voting member of the executive committee.”

“The usga requires its executive committee members and employees to administer their affairs honestly and efficiently, exercising due care, skill and judgment for the benefit of the usga. It is the responsibility of usga executive committee members and employees to make a full disclosure of any personal involvement which might result in a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest on their part. Such disclosures are submitted to the audit committee chair and/or the chief legal officer for review and consideration as per stated procedures. Additionally, once a year, the usga requires its executive committee members and employees to review the usga's conflict of interest policy and submit a statement attesting to their understanding of and compliance with the policy. Any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest must be included on the submitted statement. The audit committee reviews the statements and makes any necessary decisions to manage and/or eliminate the conflicts.”

“On a periodic basis, the usga does a thorough review of compensation for the ceo and the executive team. This review includes a compensation survey by an independent compensation consultant, and consideration of comparability data obtained from other sources. The survey and data are carefully considered by the usga's compensation committee to ensure that compensation is reasonable and appropriate. Mercer prepared an "executive cash compensation update" (intermediate sanctions) report dated december 31, 2022. This report would have been used to make compensation decisions for usga executives for calendar year 2023. Substantiation of the deliberation and decision of the compensation committee is maintained in the meeting minutes. In addition, employees of the usga undergo a thorough evaluation process at the end of each year. Performance and goals are carefully reviewed and documented, then discussed with the employee. Merit increases and bonus awards are determined based on these evaluations. Form 990, part vi, section b, line 16b the usga does not currently have any joint ventures but maintain a joint ventures policy to ensure that all arrangements are consistent with the organization's tax exempt status under irc section 501(c)(3). Specifically, the purpose of the policy is to set forth guidelines to help ensure that arrangements with for-profit entities will not jeopardize the usga's tax exempt status.”

“The usga's most recent form 990 and audited financial statements are viewable by the public on usga.org each year. The usga makes the following documents available to the public by providing them to guidestar to post on their website at www.guidestar.org: irs letter of determination; federal form 1023; federal form 990; federal form 990-t; audited financial statements. The usga also makes its governing documents and conflict of interest policy available to the public "upon request" at its headquarters location in new jersey, during normal business hours.”

“The united states golf association's mission is to champion and advance the game of golf, and its purpose is embedded into each of the four letters of our name. As golf's steward and governing body in america, our initials u (unify) s (showcase) g (govern) a (advance) can be used to communicate role the usga plays, and the good we do for the game. We unify the game by creating an equal playing field through the world handicap system, course rating system and ghin, ensuring that players of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can enjoy the game together. We unify golfers and golf courses through our national allied golf association (aga) network. We will be a trusted partner with the global game around common purposes that ensure a better future for golf (growing the game, equity and inclusion, sustainability). We showcase and celebrate the best players in the world by providing them the stage to achieve their dreams all ages, individuals, and teams alike. We showcase how "open" golf can be, via a truly open approach to championships qualifiers that don't care about your age, race or religious beliefs, but only your ability to get the ball in the hole. We host the national championships in america, showcasing the nation's best golf courses and welcoming the global golf community to participate. The usga conducts 15 national championships annually, with an equal number for men and women and the u.s. Adaptive open championship, added in 2022 for golfers with disabilities for both males and females of all ages. We govern with a focus on the best interests of the game long-term, without bias, providing a strong framework on which the game can grow. We govern the game through a clearly defined set of playing and amateur status rules, and equipment standards to promote and ensure fair play. A common set of rules gives every golfer a foundation for how the game is played. We advance the game to enable a future that is even better than the game we play today. This means ensuring that golfers of all races, genders and ages have access and feel welcome. This starts with juniors and continues through a golfer's lifetime journey in the game. We're passionately pursuing a better on-course golf experience through our green section improving the cost of the game, the time it takes to play and enjoyment with fewer resources. We're the biggest investor in golf's future by helping courses manage water, fuel, resources, by funding nearly $1.5 million annually in research grants to advance turfgrass science.”

“The estimate for volunteers represents people who serve on a usga committee or usga sub committee. The estimate also includes the thousands of individuals who volunteer their time at usga championships, and contribute toward the success of those usga championships.”

“United states golf association shares employees with its supporting organization, usga foundation (ein# 83-4639721) via a common paymaster arrangement. All w-2s and required employment tax returns are filed by united states golf association.”

“Expenses include various professional services, including but not limited to tv and video production, freelance photography, and public relations/brand building expenses, as well as temporary staffing on it.”

“Fasb 158 adoption 3,342,000. Net assets released from restriction -2,532,337.”