Taking golf to the state house

Don Eurich, the executive director of the Michigan GCSA, speaks to attendees at a government relations breakfast during August’s PGA Championship. In the foreground are Joe Steranka (left), CEO of the PGA of America, and Brian Whitcomb, current PGA president. Photo courtesy of the PGA of America

Jeff Bollig

Editor’s note: The following report first appeared on GCM’s blog, From the Desk of GCM.

You have no doubt been reading and hearing about the efforts golf has undertaken over the past year to communicate the value the sport provides to communities. GCSAA was part of a coalition of golf associations that traveled to Washington, D.C., in mid-April to participate in National Golf Day. The goal of that event was to educate lawmakers, regulators and media as to the economic, recreational and environmental benefits of the game. Leaders of these golf groups have felt that the sport, although larger than the motion picture and newspaper industries, does not receive the same consideration when it comes to the legislation and regulation that affect it.

This outreach effort will continue for the foreseeable future as states begin to conduct economic impact studies that complement what was done on a national level last year. During last month’s PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club, just outside of Detroit, leaders of the PGA and representatives of Michigan’s golf governing bodies hosted local, county and state officials at a breakfast. Participating was the Michigan GCSA, represented by executive director Don Eurich; president John Fulling, CGCS at Kalamazoo Country Club; and vice president Steve Hammon, superintendent at Traverse City Golf and Country Club.

Eurich shared with attendees the efforts the Michigan Turfgrass Association, the Michigan GCSA and GCSAA are making to ensure golf courses are being managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

“There is a commitment to conducting research and making sure that we are responsible stewards of the land,” Eurich said. “Golf sometimes gets a bad rap when it comes to the environment. But the research tells us good things are happening. Do you know that only one-half of 1 percent of water consumed is by golf courses? That is impressive considering it is a $76 billion industry.”

Michigan’s golf economy is $2.2 billion annually in direct expenditures, and $4.2 billion including indirect and induced activities. Nearly 60,000 jobs in the state with a combined payroll of $1.4 billion are in the golf industry. This year’s PGA Championship will generate $41 million alone.

The gathering of golf leaders also presented a tangible benefit of Michigan’s recent consolidation of chapters to form one that encompasses the whole state. Fulling, Hammon and Eurich were effusive in their evaluation of the chapter’s progress in less than a year.

“It has been much better than even we expected,” Fulling said. “We’ve surpassed our goals in year one. Being here today allows superintendents across the state to speak with one voice. It also elevates our profile and now puts us on the same level as other associations. It also allowed us to demonstrate our value. Too many times we are seen as cost centers. We are now showing people that we help to generate revenue. Golf is important to the Michigan economy, and today will help show others we are integral to golf in the state.”

Jeff Bollig is GCSAA’s director of communications.