NCGA GOLF magazine is the official publication of the Northern California Golf Association. The magazine is widely considered one of the top regional golf publications in the country.
Over the course of the last two years, NCGA Golf has evolved dramatically from a magazine that chronicles tournaments and other association activities to a publication seeking to cover all things golf in Northern California. While four-color photographs depicting many of the world’s most beautiful golf courses continue to be a staple of each issue, the development of quarterly departments has been a major vehicle behind this evolution.
Beginning with the Summer 2005 issue, the Q & A feature expanded its focus to more than just professional golfers. San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh, comedian George Lopez, politician Leon Panetta, and NFL Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice all told their stories to NCGA Golf’s 180,000+ readers.
A point/counterpoint was included with the Spring 2006 issue. This allowed for the debate of timely topics and has opened the door for nationally-known writers such as Brad Klein of Golfweek, Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle and Brian Murphy of KNBR radio to contribute to the publication.
Other additions to the magazine have included a Member Spotlight – focusing on members of the association with an interesting background or connection to golf, an Associate Club Focus – spotlighting the rich diversity of the NCGA’s more than 600 Associate Clubs, an NCGA cartoon contributed by Roger Schillerstrom and a Sticks and Stones (equipment feature) section. The magazine has found a nice balance between association news and other lively topics.
NCGA GOLF reaches the members of more than 1,000 private and public golf courses, and associate clubs extending from San Luis Obispo to the Oregon border and parts of Nevada.
Commissions and Discounts
Agency Commission: Fifteen (15) percent to recognized agencies when paid in full within 45 days of the invoice date. Discounts are relinquished if not paid in full within that time period. To establish credit, all new advertisers must submit full payment for their first ad. Advertisers who fail to fulfill a contract will be charged a regular placement rate.
Frequency: Quarterly
Minimum Rateholder: 1/6 page
Advertising Representatives
Tom Black
301 E. Ocean Blvd., Suite 300
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 562/590-5143
Fax: 562/590-5153
E-mail: tblackfore@aol.com
Jesse Kovacs
Phone: 831/277-9949
E-mail: jkovacs@ncga.org
Director of Communications
Hilary Howard
3200 Lopez Rd., Pebble Beach, CA 93953
831/625-4653
E-mail:
hhoward@ncga.org
NCGA GOLF Advertising Rates
Effective Bluebook (January) 2007 Issue
| BLACK AND WHITE | Bluebook | 1x Other | 3x Rate | 4x Rate |
| 2-Page Spread | $12,235 | $10,895 | $10,567 | $9,805 |
| Full Page | $6,500 | $5,900 | $5,600 | $5,300 |
| 2/3 Page | $5,400 | $4,900 | $4,700 | $4,400 |
| 1/2 Page | $4,300 | $3,900 | $3,700 | $3,500 |
| 1/3 Page | $3,219 | $2,923 | $2,781 | $2,629 |
| 1/6 Page | $1,805 | $1,641 | $1,555 | $1,476 |
| FOUR-COLOR | Bluebook | 1x Other | 3x Rate | 4x Rate |
| 2-Page Spread | $17,500 | $16,000 | $15,000 | $14,000 |
| Full Page | $9,100 | $8,200 | $7,900 | $7,500 |
| 2/3 Page | $7,750 | $7,000 | $6,600 | $6,250 |
| 1/2 Page | $6,750 | $6,100 | $5,750 | $5,500 |
| 1/3 Page | $6,000 | $5,500 | $5,100 | $4,850 |
| 1/6 Page | $2,990 | $2,500 | $2,250 | $2,000 |
| COVER | Bluebook | 1x Other | 3x Rate | 4x Rate |
| Inside Front | $10,000 | $9,250 | $8,750 | $8,250 |
| Inside Back | $9,750 | $9,000 | $8,500 | $8,250 |
| Back | $11,500 | $10,750 | $10,000 | $9,500 |
Rates are commissionable at 15% to recognized agencies
Digital File Requirements
- NCGA Golf prints computer to plate (CTP) and only accepts digital files.
- Preferred file format: The preferred file format is a PDF. There are specific PDF settings which have been preset and can be downloaded by clicking here. Place the file into the "Settings" folder under your Adobe Acrobat program folder or Acrobat Distiller program folder. PDFs are considered unalterable file types and the NCGA will not be responsible for content.
- Other file formats: The latest versions of all DTP software are also accepted: Quark, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Freehand and Acrobat. Please use a "Collect for Output" command to assemble the job. Be sure that all images and fonts used in embedded files are included.
- OS Platforms: Mac OS8 through OSX
- Mode: CMYK
- Supplied media: CD is preferred. Also, files may be emailed to the NCGA or uploaded to our printer's FTP site. Please contact the NCGA for specific information.
- An accurate color proof must accompany each file. The NCGA is not responsible for ad content that is not accompanied by a color proof.
- All live copy must be 1/4" from borders and trim.
Page Sizes
Full page: 7 1/4” x 10”2/3 page: 4 5/8” x 10”
1/2 page horizontal: 7” x 5”
1/2 page island: 5" x 7"
1/3 page: 2 5/16" x 10” or 4 5/8" x 5"
1/6 page: 2 5/16” x 5” or 4 5/8” x 2 1/2”
Full Page Bleed: 8 1/2” x 11 1/8”
Insert Page: 8 1/2” x 11 1/8”
Trim Size: 8 3/8” x 10 7/8”
Live Area: 8 1/8” x 10 5/8”
Bleed, Inserts And Special Positions
Bleed Rates and Specification
There is no additional charge for bleed on full page ads. A ten (10) percent charge is added for bleed on less than full page ads. Live copy should be indented 1/4” or more from trim dimension.
Inserts and Special Positions
Pre-printed supplied inserts bill at appropriate one page black & white rate for two sides and count towards earned frequency. Card inserts must be supported by full page ad.
JANUARY – The Northern California Golf Association's Annual Bluebook Edition: Eagerly awaited, this book-bound publication is used as a continual reference guide for the NCGA's 180,000+ members, providing information on Member Clubs and public and private golf courses (including detailed maps) throughout Northern California and the Reno/Lake Tahoe area. Also, more than 650 Associate Clubs are listed. The Bluebook provides tournament schedules for all NCGA events. Four-color photos depict numerous top golf courses around Northern California and beyond. Mailed with this issue is the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am spectator’s guide.
APRIL – Spring Edition: Inside is a guide to Hawaii Golf, a separate section using four-color photos and copy to examine golf in the 50th state. Additionally featured are new golf courses in Northern California as well as stories on resort destinations and newsworthy golf courses. The latest equipment trends are highlighted in a colorful spread. A Q&A with a prominent member of the Northern California golf community is included as well as pertinent columns written by NCGA staff members and others in the golf industry. The cover of the magazine is available for purchase.
AUGUST– Summer Edition: Inside are golf and vacation features and places to play. Tournament stories include the California State Amateur, as well as other amateur and professional events. Additionally, the quarterly departments (Point/Counterpoint, Sticks & Stones, Cartoon and Great Golf Holes) and pertinent columns written by NCGA staff members and others in the golf industry are inside. The cover of the magazine is available for purchase.
OCTOBER – Championship Edition: The year's tournament results are highlighted, including the NCGA Amateur, Junior and Women’s championships. More places to play are featured in addition to a Q&A and pertinent columns written by NCGA staff members and others in the golf industry. The Arizona Golf and Las Vegas Links inserts are also included in this issue.
Issue Closing and Mailing Dates
January 5 Mailing (Bluebook)
Reservation of space: Nov. 17
Ad due: Nov. 24
April 10 Mailing
Reservation of space: Feb. 23
Ad due: March 2
July 7 Mailing
Reservation of space: May 30
Ad due: June 6
October 16 Mailing
Reservation of space: Aug. 30
Ad due: Sept. 6
Shipping Instructions
Mail all insertion orders, copy and digital files (ship ads via Express Mail, UPS or Federal Express) to:
NCGA GOLF
Hilary Howard, Director of Communications
3200 Lopez Rd., Pebble Beach, CA 93953
831/625-4653
hhoward@ncga.org
Circulation
Guaranteed circulation exceeding 720,000 (4 issues at 180,000 each). Mailed to all NCGA members and news media. New members receive Bluebook publication when they join until supply is exhausted. Special distribution is made to club managers, professionals, course superintendents, media outlets and at Poppy Hills and Poppy Ridge Golf Courses.