In the early 1980s, 10 owners of 20 golf specialty stores founded the NGBA as a buying group specializing in the procurement of golf equipment and related merchandise. At that time, the members had annual sales of about $15 million. Today the NGBA is comprised of over 40 technically competent members and is recognized by the golf industry as a professional organization, formally structured and organized. Standards for achieving and sustaining membership have been set at levels that maintain the reputation of this major golf retailing organization.