| WASHINGTON, D.C. April 16, 2008 – The golf industry is the
sports and entertainment worlds’ largest contributor to the U.S. economy,
generating $76 billion in direct economic impact according to a recent study
discussed today by some of the nation’s leading golf association executives.
In a press conference at the National Press Club to
commemorate the first National Golf Day, the golf leaders also discussed the
industry’s environmental stewardship and its multi-billion dollar annual
contributions to charitable activities.
“We are here as a very strong industry coalition to present
data that demonstrates golf’s extremely positive contributions to the economic
health of our nation,” said David B. Fay, Chairman, World Golf Foundation, and
Executive Director of the USGA. “In addition, we want to highlight golf’s
environmental stewardship and the game’s very positive charitable and human
impact on our society. Our message is
built around the fact that golf is a vital contributor to our nation’s health
on a number of significant levels.”
Joining Mr. Fay at the press conference were Tim Finchem,
Commissioner of the PGA TOUR; Joe Steranka, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA
of America; Steve Mona, Chief Executive Officer of World Golf Foundation; Joe
Louis Barrow, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee; and Libba Galloway,
Deputy Commissioner of the LPGA. Representatives of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners
Association, Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders
Association of America and American Society of Golf Course Architects were also
in Washington in recognition of
National Golf Day. Each organization is a supporting member of World
Golf Foundation.
According to U.S. Census data, the $76 billion U.S. golf
economy is larger than the motion picture and video industries and that golf
facility operations generated $28 billion in revenue, exceeding revenues from
all other professional and semi-professional spectator sports combined. The study, which was completed earlier this
year, also found that golf generates more than $3.5 billion annually for
charities across the country.
A bipartisan Congressional resolution sponsored by U.S.
Representatives Ron Klein (D-FL) and John Mica (R-FL) declared April 16, 2008
as National Golf Day.
The golf leaders stressed that the game’s impact on
society could best be viewed through three perspectives: economic,
environmental and human.
Economic Impact
Environmental Impact
Human Impact
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