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The New Brunswick Golf Association (NBGA) has introduced its new , just in time for the 2008 golf season.

The NBGA is part of a larger initiative known as the National , launched jointly in 2007 by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) and participating provincial golf associations.

New Brunswick becomes the 8th province to offer a public player program, joining Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

"With the introduction of the NBGA , golfers can now join the NBGA as individuals," said a recent release from the NBGA. "This can happen in two ways. First, players will be able to register for the public player program directly through the NBGA at a cost of $30 plus HST. As a second option, participating NBGA member golf clubs will be offering five-round public player packages that will include five rounds of golf at the participating course and an NBGA public player membership. The selling price for these five-round packages will be set by each participating club. Once confirmed, the complete list of participating clubs will be included on the NBGA website (www.nbga.nb.ca).

NBGA Public Player members are considered full members of the association, with all privileges of traditional members.

Public player members will be able to keep a handicap, to be housed on the RCGA Network and managed by NBGA.

This allows public player members to compete in NBGA Provincial Championships, and in invitational member club events at the discretion of the host club.

The only restriction for public player members is that they will not be granted access to NBGA provincial championships should the event fill with Category I members of the association (members at member clubs).

In its first year of existence, there were 8,163 members in the National .

"The RCGA and participating provinces are optimistic that there will be continued growth in the program for 2008," said the release. "As for New Brunswick, there were approximately 13,800 members of the New Brunswick Golf Association in 2007. The RCGA's 2006 Golf Participation Study, completed in association with Ipsos Read, reported approximately 147,000 golfers in New Brunswick."

Golfers wishing to find out more information on the NBGA or to join the program should contact the NBGA office at (506) 451-1324 or e-mail to nbgolf@nbnet.nb.ca.