The foundation builds upon the mission and accomplishments of the former Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley. Formed in August of 1989 as a response to the explosive growth of regional amateur golf, the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley (GALV) was the driving force behind establishing the greater Lehigh Valley region as one of Pennsylvania’s top areas of competitive amateur golf during its 18 years of existence.
Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley Foundation programs & services:
1. conducts over 40 amateur golf tournaments
2. operates the Lehigh Valley Junior Golf Tour
3. provides tournament scheduling services to promote competitive golf in the greater Lehigh Valley, northeastern Pennsylvania, and western New Jersey regions
4. oversees the annual Lehigh Valley Player of the Year awards for adults, seniors, and junior golfers
5. coordinates the “Major Amateur Championship” system in the greater Lehigh Valley region for amateur and senior amateur golfers (the “Grand Slam” of regional amateur golf)
6. operates the Lehigh Valley Golf Hall of Fame
7. hosts the annual Lehigh Valley Open – the region’s premiere golf competition.
Tournaments are conducted from April through mid-November in the greater Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. This region is defined by the Pennsylvania counties of Lehigh, Northampton, lower Carbon and Monroe counties; and the New Jersey county of Warren, which borders Northampton County.
Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley Foundation tournaments are conducted in accordance with United States Golf Association rules, particularly as they pertain to the amateur status of the participants.
The foundation seeks to foster competition, understanding, and fellowship among all amateur golfers. All tournaments are open to public and private course golfers in the greater Lehigh Valley and western New Jersey regions; and the surrounding tri-state areas.
Region-wide championship tournaments are conducted for men, women, juniors, and senior men. All Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley Foundation tournaments are played on a gross score basis.
To support the foundation’s continued growth, tournament programs, and to defray operating costs (Blue Golf online tournament management system, insurances, legal reporting requirements, and tournament personnel), the foundation funds their operations with charitable donations, tournament fees, junior golf tour membership fees, interest income, junior golf program grants, and tournament sponsorships.
The Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley Foundation is known by its initials “GALV” for public relations purposes.
