National Golf Day Celebrates 10th Anniversary on Capitol Hill

The 10th annual National Golf Day was held April 26 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to celebrate and discuss the game’s nearly $70 billion economic impact, $4 billion annual charitable impact, environmental value to local communities and fitness benefits. A record 175 Congressional meetings were scheduled and nearly 200 attendees from 35 U.S. states participated.

Industry leaders met with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and Federal agencies to highlight the two million jobs impacted by golf and the nearly $4 billion raised for charitable causes through 143,000 philanthropic events annually. Throughout the day, participants shared stories about the game’s 15,000-plus diverse businesses, tax revenue creation, accessibility, tourism, ecological value and the fact that one in 75 U.S. jobs is impacted by the industry. New for 2017, more than 100 golf industry leaders participated in a community service initiative on the National Mall the morning of April 25. The initiative focused on beautification, preservation and helping the National Park Service with turf deferred maintenance. “I look forward to National Golf Day every year. It’s a chance to visit here on Capitol Hill to talk about the positive impact the game has on our economy, worthy charities and personal fitness," says Congressman James E. Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader (D-SC). “I especially appreciate the opportunity to discuss expanding diversity throughout every aspect of the game of golf.” This year’s event also included Mike Davis, executive director of the United States Golf Association (USGA), PGA TOUR player Billy Hurley III, and Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen. “The influence of the game continues to grow. Golf continues to lead the way, in terms of not just physical strength but also mental strength and character,” says Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). “Golf is a worldwide, growing global activity.” Organizations participating were the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Links to Freedom, National Alliance for Accessible Golf, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA TOUR, Salute Military Golf Association, The First Tee, U.S. Golf Manufacturers Council, USGA, World Golf Foundation and several others. “Celebrating our 10th anniversary was an historic moment and significant milestone for the golf industry,” says Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation and administrator of WE ARE GOLF, a coalition of golf industry associations. “The game's economic, charitable, environmental and fitness benefits echoed throughout Capitol Hill as we shared golf's contributions, both locally and nationally, with our country's decision-makers." National Golf Day featured a day-long exhibit in the Rayburn Foyer with live lessons for Congressional Members and staff from 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year Michael Breed, host of “The Golf Fix” on Golf Channel and LPGA Teaching Professional Karen Palacios-Jansen, founder of Cardiogolf, a golf-specific fitness system. Special exhibits and activities included a “Closest to the Pin” contest on an aboutGolf simulator; state-of-the-art swing analysis from GolfTEC; a Republican vs. Democrat “Putting Challenge;” and interviews with attendees on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. Across America, Topgolf partnered with WE ARE GOLF to offer free five-minute lessons at each of its 27 U.S. locations with slow-motion video swing analysis through its Topgolf U instructional program. Visit the social media hub to continue following the action. Through April 30, be sure to use #NGD17 and tag @wearegolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to show your support for the golf industry.

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