Industry groups launch 'We Are Golf' lobbying effort
The golf industry now will speak with a single voice when seeking to get its message out to government officials and the American public.
Officials of four key golf business associations recently announced the formation of “We Are Golf,” a lobbying effort to represent the economic, human and environmental benefits of the industry.
The effort was launched by the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association and the PGA of America.
“Together, golf represents billions of dollars in economic impact,” said Mike Hughes, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association. “Together, we will benefit from an even stronger industry that has the recognition and respect it deserves in Washington and throughout the country.”
Joe Steranka, CEO of the PGA of America, said golf – which generates 2 million jobs across the country – has been plagued by public misconceptions, especially from government officials.
“Golf must have a voice in aligning its perception with its real values,” he said. “ ‘We Are Golf’ engages our industry in an unprecedented collaboration to achieve legislative goals on small business, as well as labor, tax and environmental issues.”
Mark Woodward, CEO of the GCSAA, said that the lack of general knowledge about golf’s positive impact on the environmental has been especially frustrating.
“Golf courses provide the infrastructure to help communities manage runoff and the green space provides a variety of benefits,” he said. ‘We Are Golf’ will intensify our efforts to inform and educate on issues such as this.”
The coalition has hired a high-powered Washington, D.C., lobbying firm, The Podesta Group, to address legislative issues and help with advocacy efforts.
‘We Are Golf’ will work to share information, case studies and articles with media, elected officials, regulators and other key constituents to inform them on issues of concern.
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Comments
February 10, 2010 1:46 pm GMT
Please keep the effort going. Golf is always being labeled as the rich mans game. It also was a gentleman's game before the game became popularized during the 80s & 90s. So many golfers yet, so many non-wealthy golfers who popularized the sport. Would anyone consider their neighbor that regularly purchases NFL game tickets as being wealthy? Why then would the government call golfers wealthy, considering the avg greens fee for golf is a fraction of attending an NFL game.
February 10, 2010 10:38 am GMT
Start with a visit to Barney Frank....and then work your way down the list of those Congressmen and women in the Democratic Party.
Sorry if this offends anyone, but it is they who enjoy condemning golf and its supposed negative impact on the environment and corporate sponsorship of the PGA Tour....all while targeting the game itself as only for the "greedy rich".
February 01, 2010 12:23 pm GMT
Great forward thinking move,especially if there's to be any growth in the game,nationally, and to have a unified voice in government, long overdue. Please keep me updated as to how this evolves.
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