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Golf’s benefits come into focus
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The golf industry now has a better means to communicate the value it delivers through a template and survey process developed by Golf 20/20.
The application of that template and process was unveiled at the seventh annual Golf 20/20 conference Oct. 30-31 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. Virginia GCSA Executive Director David Norman presented to the nearly 250 industry representatives the results of an economic impact study conducted by the Virginia Golf Council, which includes the Virginia GCSA and the Virginia Turfgrass Council.
Among the findings, the $1.59 billion golf economy for the state in 2005 generated an additional $1.63 billion in indirect and induced economic impacts, resulting in a total impact of $3.09 billion. From an environmental perspective, it was found that Virginia golf courses account for only 2.2 percent of the total turfgrass acreage in the state and consume only 0.4 percent of the water in the state. The economic return from per acre water use for golf courses was $18,480/acre, compared with $2,453/acre for grapes and $189/acre for corn.
Golf 20/20 officials indicated as many as six states will conduct similar surveys in 2007. The officials also plan to issue a national report for the industry in 2007. GCSAA will contribute data to the state and national reports that was attained through the Golf Course Environmental Profile project, provided by a grant from The Environmental Institute for Golf.
“I believe the Virginia study, combined with others conducted in the past, have opened eyes within the industry in regard to the environmental impact of golf courses,” GCSAA President Sean A. Hoolehan said. “As more studies are done and as results from GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile project are communicated, the message will go beyond the family, so to speak. It not only speaks well of golf courses, but also of the professionals who manage them, golf course superintendents.”
Golf 20/20 is a strategic alliance of the golf industry that combines insightful research with strategic acumen aimed at furthering the industry’s knowledge, creating new programs and identifying areas ideal for the sport’s expansion. Its mission is to align the golf industry behind a plan that addresses the future of golf in a strategic manner, with an emphasis on accelerating growth and participation, and creating new avenues of access into the game. GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE, sits on Golf 20/20’s executive board.
The day-and-a-half symposium began with an examination of the past six years and a discussion about where the industry has come in that time in terms of its fan base, participation, rounds played, facility development and international growth. Also included was an in-depth look at trends affecting the growth of golf provided by Charles Kennedy of research company DYG, which included:
- Aging baby boomers and time restraints imposed by increasingly busy, integrated and mobile lifestyles
- The increasing influence of women in the marketplace
- Economic influences, including a decline in middle-income families
- Shifting demographics and an increased emphasis on child-rearing
According to Kennedy, all of the trends examined offered both obstacles to, and opportunities for, growth in the game of golf.
The USGA has announced its Executive Committee nominations for 2007. Walter Driver has been nominated to serve a second one-year term as president. Election of officers and a full 15-member USGA Executive Committee will take place in February at the association’s annual meeting in San Francisco. Other nominated officers include: James Vernon and James Hyler Jr. as vice presidents; Emily Crisp as secretary; and Frederic Nelson as treasurer. Seven returning members of the Executive Committee are: James Bunch; Irving Fish; William Lewis Jr.; Pat McKinney; Cameron Rains; Loren Singletary; and Steve Smyers. Three new nominations this year include Christie Austin, John Fim and Geoffrey Yang. Nationwide has extended its sponsorship of the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour through 2012. Nationwide, an insurance and financial service provider, has served as the umbrella sponsor of the Tour since 2003. The Tour began in 1990 and, by 2006, grew to consist of 31 tournaments played in three countries and 22 states with purses reaching nearly $17 million. Former Nationwide Tour players include John Daly, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk and Chris DiMarco. |
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