As summer winds down and we transition into the fall golf season, the sustained momentum at both the amateur and professional levels must continue to motivate us, as we remain laser-focused on driving the business side of our game to new heights.
While the positive impact of the game transcends many business sectors, one of the most critical components to ensure the future of the game is healthy and vibrant is a dedicated and well-choreographed approach to government advocacy and lobbying. This is the primary topic of this month’s PGA Magazine cover story.
PGA of America Golf Professionals hold a strong influence in governance affairs at the local and national levels regarding matters relevant to the business of golf. Likewise, PGA of America leadership works in lockstep with our allied partners to ensure we most effectively promote both the economic and societal impact the game delivers around the world every day.
One example is National Golf Day, an annual event coordinated by the American Golf Industry Coalition (AGIC), which is comprised of the leading voices in golf that gather in Washington, D.C. to promote a unified front across the golf industry. The 16th annual National Golf Day was held in early May, when industry associations, partners and leaders in the game came together in the nation’s capital to celebrate the many ways in which the sport and industry positively impact the economy, people, communities and charities.
The PGA of America was well represented at 2024 National Golf Day by our Officers, Members of the PGA of America Advocacy Committee, Section leaders and a record number of PGA of America Golf Professionals. I’d encourage all PGA of America Members to attend or request that your Section send a representative in 2025.
National Golf Day is governance in action, and collective support is vitally important as we continue to educate key constituencies on the all-encompassing benefits of the game. Over the past few years, this platform has enabled us to promote major news coming out of the industry, such as the National Economic Impact Study.
This study placed the game in a very positive spotlight showcasing a $102 billion direct economic impact in 2022, which represented a 20 percent increase from the previous study in 2016. A sustained effort to promote the importance of golf on the economy, while advocating for accessibility and inclusivity within the sport, are among a litany of topics critical to a vibrant future for the game.
Another great example is how our Association, under the leadership of PGA of America Golf Professionals, managed golf during the coronavirus pandemic. Through the collaborative efforts of the entire membership, we managed to not only keep golf open during the global crisis but drove a surge in the game as the pandemic ended. Thanks to a great strategy with the Back2Golf initiative, we were out front working with government officials at the local, regional and national levels, and positioning golf as a safe outdoor recreation activity. This led to a surge in popularity for the game that continues to this day.
There are dozens of case studies that speak to effective governance, with some outlined in the cover story — as told by leaders throughout the PGA of America. You will hear from experts on a wide range of topics, including the focus of the PGA of America’s Lobbying Committee, specific issues facing PGA of America Members in different regions of the country, plus much more. You will also get key insights on how PGA of America Golf Professionals can get involved in their local communities and at the state level regarding important issues that can have an impact on their careers and lives.
As we look to the future of this game, it remains essential that government advocacy and lobbying play an important role in defining everything that golf does to positively impact society and the nation’s economy. Thanks for all you do in support of this effort, and let’s continue to keep the game thriving..
Sincerely,
John Lindert, PGA President, PGA of America