The Southern Illinois Golf Association is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf throughout Southern Illinois.
WHAT DOES THE SIGA DO?
Dating back to 1924, our Directors have devoted their time and effort to advance the great game of golf throughout Southern Illinois. With the help of its Member Clubs, the SIGA works to keep the game great by providing the following services.
CONDUCTING COMPETITIONS
The SIGA conducts several amateur events each year and those include:
SIGA CHAMPIONSHIP
The longest running Amateur Tournament in Illinois.
Tremendous history and very hard to win.
TONY STEVENS CUP MATCHES
Competition among Member Clubs competing as six-man teams. Has become a very popular event. Rotated among 18 hole member clubs. Champions are recognized in the overall and 9-hole club divisions.
PLAYERS CUP
The SIGA’s answer to the “Masters” with 14 different ways to qualify. Tournament winners, Club Champions, and Tony Stevens Cup Match winners are just some of the ways to make this elite field held each Spring.
ILLINOIS AMATEUR QUALIFIER
Conduct local qualifying for the Chicago District Golf Association. The SIGA helped obtain the 1998 Illinois Amateur Championship held at Rend Lake Golf Course. The first ever State Amateur Championship South of Champaign.
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Two-Man teams compete in an Alternate Shot and Four Ball format to determine winners. This event has different flights and is pre-flighted.
SCRANTON CUP MATCHES
Women’s member club competition. Four women per team. Alternate shot and Best Ball format. This team competition becomes more popular each year.
HANDICAP SYSTEM
The SIGA, in conjunction with the USGA, offers the EZLinks computer system of score posting for handicap determination. When the Rules of Golf are observed, handicaps shall enable golfers of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. The SIGA’s pre-flighted sanctioned events along with past tournament scores determine a players flight in the tournaments.
COURSE RATING
The SIGA is authorized to rate Member courses in accordance with USGA guidelines. This service is available only to Member Clubs as part of our Association’s attempt to advance the true spirit of the game.
OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SIGA FOR MEMBER CLUBS
Provides rules seminars for Member Clubs, Schools, and Juniors.
Answers questions about the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status.
Serves as a clearinghouse of free information for tournaments both locally and nationally.
Offers guidance to Member Club Handicap Committees.
Prints and distributes 5,000+ “Calendar of Events” that includes SIGA, SISGA, SISWGA and SIGA Junior events.
Player of the Year award based on points earned in SIGA sanctioned events.
The SIGA, along with the Southern Illinoisan and Rend Lake Conservancy District help sponsor the Junior Clinic at Rend Lake Golf Course.
Supply tournament directors with current handicap lists along with SIGA pre-flighted tournament scores from prior years. They also receive a “Tournament Regulations” guide developed by the SIGA so that there is uniformity among each sanctioned tournament.
Maintains the SIGA Hall of Fame at Crab Orchard Golf Club.
Recognizes individuals who have contributed their time and effort for the betterment of the SIGA with the association’s Distinguished Service Award.
