Only eligible if you are single.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Bill Doyle

COLUMN: GOLF

Ever hear of a golf organization where the members are happy for you when you get married and drop out?

That's the case with the Central Mass. chapter of the American Singles Golf Association. The chapter holds two to four tournaments a month for unmarried people.

Chapter president Roland Larson of Boylston said members look more to golf and have fun than meet someone, but occasionally members do date one another. Once they get married, however, they're no longer eligible to be members. That's happened a couple of times. In 2005, chapter president Peter Schultz and chapter social chairman Nadine McGinnis surprised everyone by getting married at the chapter Christmas party. The following year, Art Simas, then the T&G special sections editor, and Lori Ordell, wed.

"I think people are very pleased when that happens," Larson said, "that people have found someone."

"Finding someone in the group with a common interest," said Tina Cullina, a member since 2003, "that you fall in love with is certainly a good thing. Generally, we're very happy for them. When you lose a president, that's a little disappointing. But that's OK. Hopefully, we can find someone to take their place."

The Central Mass. chapter formed in 2001. Larson said it has about the same number of men as women.

Twenty-four golfers took part in a tournament last weekend at Green Hill Municipal Golf Course. Larson said members range in age from the 30s to 80s, and they have handicaps from single-digits to low 30s.

"A single woman," Larson said, "who has been playing golf for five years or so would find it extremely difficult to just show up at a golf course and get randomly put with a twosome or a threesome. They just won't do it. This provides an opportunity to be part of a group and get assigned based on their skill level."

"This gave me an opportunity to play on a regular basis," Cullina said. "It made it easier to play because the tee times, the place to play, the foursomes are basically all set up for you. All you do is sign up, send in your money, then you show up that day and you get to play."

Those who pay the $79 fee to belong to the ASGA pay the regular greens fees at each course. Nonmembers pay $10 more. Each golfer also pays $10 toward prizes.

Larson said he learned of the Central Mass. chapter through an article in the T&G many years ago. To play in an event, register at www.centralmass-asga.com.

The next tournament will be Saturday at Stow...