As befitting an industry that pumps as much as $76 billion into the U.S. economy every year, golf has finally figured out that it needs to have some in clout in Washington, D.C., and in the state capitals around the nation.
Four of golf’s leading associations – the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association and PGA of America – have banded together to create a coalition called “We Are Golf.” It’s designed to take the positive message of golf’s economic, human and environmental benefits to the country’s decision-makers.
It’s about time.
Golf doesn’t deserve to be a scapegoat for the problems created by others. For too long, golf has allowed itself to be portrayed as a pastime of rich fat-cats with no regard for their fellow Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth.
At a time when jobs are precious in this country, the golf industry employs 2 million people and pays out an estimated $61 billion in wages. And, as CMAA chief Jim Singerling pointed out, “Golf facilities are good neighbors, providing resources that impact both individuals and other small businesses.”
We need to get the word out to local, state and national lawmakers and regulators and to the American public as well. It’s time everyone in this industry joined together to say it: “We Are Golf.”
Do you think the “We Are Golf” coalition will be an effective voice for the industry? What would you like see this effort accomplish? We want to hear your views.