National Golf Day Highlights Positive Economic Impact of Golf

The National Golf Day (NGD) was held last Wednesday in Washington D.C. As a member of the Golf Course Superintendent's Association Governmental Relations Committee, I had the honor of participating in the NGD, National Golf Day, as well as committee meetings the previous day. The two day experience included discussions with golf industry leaders on the We Are Golf Coalition, We Are Golf , fellow GR committee members from around the country, and staff  from Senator George Voinovich, Sherrod Brown and Congressman John Boccieri's offices.

 

 
The GCSAA Governmental Relations Committee, a blue ribbon panel, hand selected by the Information and Public Policy Group at GCSAA, included participants from Florida, Arizona, California (3), Colorado, Long Island, New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Montana and Ohio.  A diverse and well rounded group representing virtually all facets of golf; public, private and resort facilities.

 

On Tuesday April 27, committee meetings were held at Reed Smith Law offices in D.C and discussion focused on industry legislative issues in the states represented. Topics of discussion focused on water conservation and pesticide legislation. Some specific points of discussion: Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Restoration program, current legislation on natural disaster funding (HR 4213) and the economic impact of the game of golf in the United States.

 

Tuesday night, we attended a dinner at the Capitol Hill Club that included We Are Golf Coalition members Joe Sternka - CEO PGA, Mark Woodward - CEO GCSAA, Jim Singerling- CEO Club Managers, Mike Hughes - CEO Golf Course Owners Association, Joe Louis Barrow Jr. - CEO First Tee, Steve Mona - CEO World Golf Foundation and PGA Tour Player Corey Pavin...quite an influential group.

 

Wednesday was National Day of Golf and the industry "Day on the Hill".  Our goal was to create an awareness of the positive impact the golf industry has on the nation, as well as the state.  Here are some interesting facts from the discussion points:

Economic Impact of Golf:

Golf Industry - National

• $195 billion in total direct and indirect economic impact
• 2 million jobs
• $61 billion in total wage income

Golf Industry - Ohio

• $4.8 billion in total indirect and direct economic impact
• 68,000 jobs
• $1.5 billion in wage income

We then reviewed the national issues discussed in the GR Committee meeting the previous day, as well as the following state issues:

• SB 199 - Golf Course Property Taxes
• Federal support of the research and extension programs at The Ohio State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
• Emerald Ash Borer
• Strip mining near Clearview Golf Course in East Canton

We closed with discussion on the historical significance of Ohio in the golf industry.  All in all, it was a great opportunity to create an awareness of the positive influence the golf industry has on the economy and environment at all levels.

*Photo courtesy of Jason Pitt, Staff Assistant, Office of Congressman John Boccieri