Tacoma, Wash. – In honor of the centennial year of both Washington Golf (WA Golf) and the Pacific Northwest Section PGA (PNWPGA), Governor Jay Inslee has proclaimed September 2022 to be “Washington Golf Month” in the state of Washington.
Inslee’s recognition is for the historic year of the two organizations, both of which were founded in 1922, and for the contributions that each organization has brought to the game, as well as for what the game has brought to the state of Washington.
With a motto of “Golf for Everyone,” WA Golf provides core services and benefits to golfers throughout the state, and works to continually expand the game to people of all backgrounds and abilities. It financially supports numerous “good for the game” programs and initiatives, including The First Tee, Washington Junior Golf Association, Youth on Course, First Green, Evans Scholarship Program, and the Golf Alliance of Washington.
The PNWPGA, with its headquarters in Tumwater, Wash., is the largest PGA Section, geographically, in the U.S. Through its Junior Golf Fund, the PNWPGA administers programs such as the PGA Jr. League and the Drive, Chip & Putt qualifiers. And its PGA HOPE program introduces the game to all military Veterans, providing free instruction and playing opportunities.
“On behalf of the entire golf industry in the state of Washington, we want to express our sincere gratitude to Governor Jay Inslee for proclaiming September 2022 as ‘Washington Golf Month,’” said Troy Andrew, CEO of WA Golf. “In addition to the positive impact golf has on the economy, environment, youth community, and healthy living, this year is extra special because we share this milestone anniversary with the Pacific Northwest Section PGA. Side-by-side we have been growing the game together for 100 years.”
According to the most recent Economic Impact Study performed by the Stanford Research Institute, Washington’s golf industry contributes $1.6 billion to the state’s economy, supporting over 22,000 jobs with wage income of over $500 million.
Washington has nearly 300 golf facilities which annually generate nearly $500 million in revenue. This is comparable to the revenues of all other statewide spectator sports combined (football, baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer).
The amount of charitable giving attributed to the game of golf in the state is over $40 million each year.
The inaugural Washington Open, for the professionals, and the Washington State Amateur, for the amateur players, were held back-to-back on September 25-30, 1922 at Yakima Country Club. The championships heralded the founding of the two organizations.
See attached for the full official Proclamation.
For other messages and well-wishes from past champions, volunteers and administrators, follow WA Golf on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Celebration and Commemoration
WA Golf is celebrating its Centennial with a Golf Fest on September 25 at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash. The day-long celebration will include activities such as lessons from PGA Professionals, opportunity to play free nine holes of golf, experience playing two holes with hickory clubs, a Putt, Chip & Drive contest for kids 18 and under, a closest-to-the-pin contest, and more. All the day’s activities are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested, to allow for proper planning. Click here for more information and to register. The Home Course is co-owned and operated by WA Golf and the Pacific Northwest Golf Association.
In advance of the historic year, WA Golf published a centennial history book, “Washington Golf – 100 Years of Growing the Game.” The four-color hardbound book tells the story of the region’s golf community – the players and personalities, the golf courses and facilities, the lean times and triumphant eras.
About Washington Golf
Founded in 1922, WA Golf is celebrating its centennial in 2022. It is a 501c4 non-profit, amateur golf association governed by men and women volunteers. Serving more than 84,000 individual members at more than 550 member golf clubs and 270 golf facilities throughout the state of Washington and Northern Idaho, WA Golf works to continually expand the game of golf to people of all backgrounds and abilities. WA Golf also serves as one of the 58 Allied Golf Associations of the United States Golf Association, is the USGA’s statewide representative, and works closely with a number of allied associations within the golf industry for the betterment of the game.
About Pacific Northwest Section PGA
The Pacific Northwest Section PGA is one of the 41 geographically separated districts which make up the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. It provides services for the PGA golf professionals throughout the Northwest, more specifically in the states of Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Western Montana, and Alaska. The Section is further divided into five chapters: Western Washington, Central Washington, Inland Empire, Western Montana, and Oregon. The Section is the largest in the country geographically, and with over 1,200 members and associates, ranks sixth in number of golf professionals. Visit pnwpga.com for more information.