Don't know if anyone else has heard about this, if true (and I am sure it is) its pretty disappointing.
Below is what Matt Pitt from Bushranger Golf has passed on.
Here is the situation as far as I have been able to ascertain. Note that Golf Australia and Golf Victoria have not been forthcoming with any information as yet, so some of the below may be incorrect, but it is the best I can offer given what I have been able to establish at this time.
• Golf Victoria (GV) has reviewed Golf Access in Victoria and, without waring, decided to scrap the program.
• Golf Access Australia (GAA) is the program established by Golf Australia (GA) to allow non-club members to hold a handicap.
• GAA providers in Victoria are not being permitted to continue as handicap providers from now.
• None were consulted or informed until they recently attempted to renew their golfer’s handicaps for 2012.
• Some of the providers still don’t know as there has been no official communication from GA or GV.
• There are around 2,000 golfers in Victoria affected by this change – many are very unhappy about it.
• Golf Australia and Golf Victoria have struck a deal with the RACV.
• They are trying to encourage these (former) GAA golfers to move over to RACV golf membership.
• It appears they have cancelled all the other Golf Access providers and handed the RACV a monopoly.
• A letter has gone out this week (probably arriving today) from the RACV to all Golf Access golfers in Vic.
• The RACV has been provided with the GAA database to court all GAA golfers to transfer to the RACV.
• The letter is a strong marketing proposition encouraging golfers to transfer to RACV golf membership.
• Many golfers may think they have no other choice but to do so if they want to continue their handicap.
• The RACV has reduced their usual annual fee to encourage former GAA handicapped golfers to transfer now.
• There is no guarantee this fee will not increase in the future. Monopolies don’t usually foster price competition.
• GA and/or GV will be doing a press release later this week with more information.
• It is anticipated there will be a strong negative backlash from the GAA golfers and providers.