Industry Leaders Bringing Story of Golf’s Impact to Congressional Members
WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – will join forces next Wednesday to host the 12th annual National Golf Day on Capitol Hill.
More than 300 industry leaders will meet with Congressional members to discuss golf’s economic, charitable, environmental, fitness and societal benefits.
“National Golf Day provides an organised platform for the industry to share first-hand data and personal stories about the US$84 billion industry that impacts nearly two million jobs and has a positive impact on communities across the United States,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of World Golf Foundation.
Throughout National Golf Day, data-driven metrics will reveal the health of the sport – from traditional participation to interest and off-course participation to the ways in which it continues to grow and evolve, including key metrics from the recent 2019 Golf Industry Report.
On Tuesday, golf industry representatives will come together for 17 community service projects at various locations on the National Mall. The community service project is organised by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Later that afternoon, Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post and MSNBC Political Analyst, will discuss the political climate in DC with golf industry leaders as they prepare for visits on Capitol Hill the following day.
“For 12 years the golf industry has gathered in Washington, DC to share the powerful impact that our sport has on the United States,” said Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association and Chairman of the WE ARE GOLF Board. “Lawmakers hear first-hand from their constituents about the myriad benefits golf provides society and this helps inform their future decisions that could affect our sport.”
In partnership with WE ARE GOLF, global sports entertainment leader Topgolf announced 50 US venues will offer complimentary group golf instruction classes on Wednesday to celebrate National Golf Day. Guests who register for a complimentary Topgolf Coach class will receive instruction from a PGA-certified golf professional along with 50% off their next group class. Last year, Topgolf taught more than 4,300 five-minute lessons on National Golf Day.
In 2018, Canada held its inaugural National Golf Day, though this year marks the first time its industry associations will align with the same date as the US golf industry. The respective organisations will create a unified front that increases awareness and overall participation in North America, including simultaneous legislative visits in Ottawa and Washington, DC.
