The Carolinas Golf Association, one of the top amateur golf organizations in the country, begins a yearlong Centennial celebration Oct. 28.

The CGA, with headquarters in West End, was organized Oct. 28, 1909, in Charleston, S.C. Golfers from Sans Souci (now Greenville Country Club in South Carolina, Cape Fear Country Club in Wilmington, the Country Club of Charleston and Georgetown, a club no longer in existence, met to form the association.

All four of the existing clubs remain members of the CGA.

Lee Pace, a renowned golf author who has written several books about Pinehurst and golfers with Sandhills connections, has written a book, "Golf in the Carolinas" that is scheduled for release in December.

The book is a celebration of golf and 100 years of the history of the game in North and South Carolina, coinciding with the first 100 years of the CGA.

The book may be ordered from the association's Web site www.carolinasgolf.org or by calling 673-1000.

The CGA will also host the CGA annual meeting and centennial dinner at Pinehurst Resort's Carolina Hotel Feb. 13, 2009. David Fay, executive director of the United States Golf Association, will be the featured speaker.

Past Carolinas Amateur champions, players of the year, special guests and CGA members will also be in attendance. Contact the CGA office for further information.

A CGA centennial logo will be used throughout the year on correspondence, the CGA Web site and at tournaments and championships. A section on the Web site will also be devoted completely to the CGA Centennial. Other events are also being planned throughout the year.

"We are excited to share this milestone with our membership," said Lawrence C. Hicks, CGA centennial chairman and Executive Committee member. "We couldn't be this successful without the strong support of our members and golfers. They are responsible for our success and we look forward to serving them for the next 100 years."

Established in 1909, the CGA helped to pioneer and preserve the game of golf in the Carolinas and continues to provide service to the game in South Carolina and North Carolina through championships and tournaments, handicapping, course/slope rating, agronomy, interclub play and the Carolinas Golf Foundation

The CGA also oversees a variety of programs and services to its membership with more than 180,000 members in more than 720 member clubs.