Instilling a competitive golfing tradition has been the Minnesota Golf Association's goal from its very inception. In 1901, the first Amateur Championship concluded the MGA's inaugural meeting at the Meadow Brook Club in Winona. Thus, the MGA began a tradition that has carried into the present day. The MGA Amateur is now one of the largest golfing events in the state. As golf has grown, so have the MGA Championships. The MGA has added 16 additional amateur events throughout the golf season. Each appeals to golfers of different ages and abilities.

In 1996, the Senior Tour made its debut, providing competitive opportunities for the ever-growing number of senior golfers. What started with just one section with 230 golfers in the first year has grown to five sections (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Super Senior) with over 800 golfers in 2011. Each section is limited to 210 players and offers ten 18-hole individual play events except for the Super Senior section which offers eight events. There are also four all section events (open to the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western players) for fun overnight trips hosted by clubs in a wide range of regions in the state.

For junior golfers, the MGA sponsors one of the largest Junior Programs in the country. More than 1,000 junior boys and girls compete as members of their respective club teams to qualify for the MGA Junior Team Championship. Juniors can also participate in many other junior golf events conducted by the MGA and other junior golf organizations in the state.

In 2005, the MGA offered its inaugural Member Days event. This program is growing every year and allows MGA associate members of all playing abilities to play great golf courses around the state.

The MGA also coordinates and officiates selected USGA qualifying events within the state. Local and sectional qualifying rounds for national events such as the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior occur under the watchful eye of the MGA.