Many Miami Valley Golf events for the 2026 season will open for registration on Monday, January 5 at 12:00 a.m. Golfers are encouraged to register early, especially for the Spring Better Ball, which will be played exclusively on NCR’s South Course due to renovations on the North Course—so we expect it to fill quickly. The event will feature two divisions (Gross and Net), yardage allowances for team members age 50+, and a field limit of 120 players (60 teams). And yes, if the entry fee looks a little “odd,” that’s on us—we’ve added 3.5% to help cover credit card processing fees. Not ideal, but we promise the golf will still be worth it ????

4/27 - Spring BB – NCR South

5/4 - Masters #1-Dayton

5/11 - Shamble - Troy

6/15 - Masters - Miami Valley

6/22 -6/25 - Metropolitan - Beavercreek

6/29 - Twin BB - Piqua

8/10 - Masters - Walnut Grove

8/17 - Classic - Miami Valley

8/31 – 09/01 – Sr & Mid-Am - Dayton

The Wright State Golf Auction directly benefits the Wright State University Men’s Golf Team and supports the continued success of the program. The auction features an outstanding collection of golf experiences, including access to many of the Miami Valley’s premier private clubs, along with several well-known and highly regarded clubs from outside the region. These exclusive offerings provide a unique opportunity for golfers while making a meaningful impact on Wright State Golf.

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The National Links Trust (NLT) has been informed that the Trump Administration has officially terminated its 50-year lease with the National Park Service to manage and rehabilitate Washington, D.C.’s three municipal golf courses: East Potomac, Langston, and Rock Creek Park. NLT strongly disputes the administration’s characterization that it was in default under the lease, noting a long history of cooperative work with the National Park Service and that project timelines were driven by required federal approvals and permitting processes.

In the short term, NLT will remain in place as operator so the courses can stay open and employees can remain in their roles. However, all long-term renovation efforts have been halted immediately, including the in-progress Rock Creek Park rehabilitation, and community programming such as workforce development initiatives and free instructional programs is expected to cease.

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Francis Manufacturing Company is an American aluminum sand-casting foundry rooted in the heart of the Midwest. Located in Russia, Ohio—just 40 miles north of Dayton—Francis has built its reputation over more than 80 years on small-town work ethic, reliability, and craftsmanship. Serving nearly 300 customers nationwide, the company pours more than 37 tons of molten aluminum each week to produce high-quality castings for a wide range of industries—and they also happen to be the Official Tee Marker Maker for Miami Valley Golf. From concept through full production, Francis Manufacturing has the expertise to bring aluminum ideas to life. If you need something made from aluminum, they’re ready to help.

Learn more at francismfg.com francismfg.com or call 937-526-4551.

Interested in becoming a Miami Valley Golf partner? Contact steve@mvgolf.org—because golf connects decision makers.

Applications are currently being accepted through January 31 for the 2026-2027 Academic year.

To Apply

We’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the USGA’s Distance Insights Project and how it led to the Best Tees initiative—one of the lesser-known efforts shaping the everyday golfer experience. While distance discussions often center on elite players, this work focuses on the “shorter side of distance” and the reality that most golfers regularly play courses that are simply too long. The result is less enjoyment, slower pace of play, and lower retention—issues that affect most of us.

Miami Valley Golf was happy to serve as a pilot association for this program, working directly with the USGA as the Best Tees concept was refined. The video presentationThe video presentation walks through the research, the thinking behind the system, and the real-world impact we’re already seeing at member clubs. Watch the presentationWatch the presentation and see how this behind-the-scenes work is helping improve the golf experience across the Miami Valley.

If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen a wave of 2025 GHIN Handicap Rewinds over the past few weeks. Some are impressive. Some are funny. A few even offer useful takeaways.

But stack most of ours next to a PGA Tour pro’s rewind, and they look—well—it’s a great reminder of how the Handicap System is built for all of us.

Enter Zac Blair—a familiar name around Springfield Country Club. He has competed in our U.S. Open Final Qualifier every year since 2016, with the lone exception of 2021. Blair advanced through the qualifier in 2019, again in 2024 (finishing T-26, his best result), and once more last season after winning a playoff on the fourth extra hole with a tap-in birdie on No. 4.

The 35-year-old PGA Tour veteran and SCC favorite recently shared his 2025 GHIN Rewind, and it’s exactly the kind of perspective golfers need. The +7.6 handicap jumps off the screen, but so do the 160 rounds played at 49 different courses. That’s a lot of golf by any measure—and it would rank in the top 10 for rounds played if he lived in the Miami Valley.

And yes, those are tournament scores. A quick glance at his GHIN card shows his four most recent rounds came at Final Stage of Q-School (69-70-69-70), where he finished T-62.

Of course, it’s not a fair comparison. Zac plays for a living; most of us play for fun. Still, it’s interesting to see how a tour professional’s season stacks up.

Statistically, 2025 wasn’t Blair’s strongest year. He currently sits No. 279 in the Official World Golf Ranking and finished 172nd in the FedEx Cup regular season before moving up to 144th during the FedEx Cup Fall. Even so, he made 12 cuts in 21 starts and earned $663,124. And that 61 at Palmilla Golf Club? A -10.4 differential. Not bad.

So yes—thanks for sharing the rewind, Zac. And thanks for reminding the rest of us just how high the bar really is.

And let’s hope you become exempt into the U.S. Open this year so you don’t have to play in Final Qualifying. However, if you do, we’re betting we’ll see you on Monday, June 8 at Springfield CC.

To help strengthen connections across our community, we have hosted online contests since 2004. Over that time, more than 20,000 members have taken part, with personalized golf balls awarded for each contest. It’s one of the many ways we keep golfers and fans of golf connected to Miami Valley Golf—and to one another!

None of this work happens without volunteers, and we are grateful for their dedication. In 2025, 134 volunteers filled more than 611 shifts, contributing over 2,500 hours of service. They support MVG in countless ways, including course rating, scoring, starting, fore caddying, committee service, and trustee leadership. Their commitment reflects one of the best traditions in golf: a community willing to give back to sustain the game for everyone.

Would you like us to report on other areas in our Game as it relates to the Miami Valley? Just send Steve Jurick an email at steve@mvgolf.org

Miami Valley Golf is now accepting nominations for the next class of the Dayton Golf Hall of Fame, scheduled for induction in late 2026. Established in 1978, the Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the game in the Dayton area, whether through exceptional playing careers or through significant service to the game. To date, sixty-nine men and women have been inducted into this distinguished group

Nominees must have an association with the Dayton golf community and demonstrate exceptional character, integrity, and impact at the local, state, or national level.

Nominations may be submitted by anyone using the online nomination form. Inductees and their families will be recognized at a ceremony toward the end of the 2026 season.

Nomination Resources:

• Nomination Submission

• Hall of Fame Members