National Golf Day 2016

Last week I had the opportunity as part of the GCSAA Government Affairs Committee to attend National Golf Day. This annual event included participants from the We Are Golf coalition comprised of members of golf's leading organizations including the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association of America, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA and several other engaged golf entities. While the term National Golf Day sounds like a great day to get out and play golf, we were actually hard at work taking to Capitol Hill to educate our lawmakers on the importance of the game and expelling the notion that golf is just beneficial to the priveledged few. Conversations also included asking for help with legislation affecting environmental and labor regulations that have a direct relationship to how we run our business.

Some notable benefits of golf:

Economic - Golf contributes $68.8 billion to the American economy and impacts 2 million jobs. One in 75 jobs in the United States is impacted by the golf industry. Golf is a bigger job creator than spectator sports, performing arts, and the amusement and recreation industries.

Charitable - Golf raises more money for charity than all other sports combined. Annually, the game generates $3.9 billion for philanthropic causes, almost all of which are unrelated to the golf industry. 

Environmental - Golf courses are responsible uses of green space, providing wildlife habitat, a filter for runoff, and a cooling effect on developed areas.

Health & Welness - Golf is an excellent source of exercise. Playing 18 holes of golf burns roughly 2,000 calories when walking and 1,300 calories when riding in a cart.

A Game For All - Nine out of 10 golfers play at public-access facilities, 76 percent of golf is played at public courses, and the median cost of a round is just $37.

   Meeting With Congressman David Jolly