Divot Mix

There may be a certain amount of pleasurable excitement in running up to the top of a hillock in the hope of seeing your ball near the flag, but this kind of thing one gets tired of as one grows older.  --Dr. Alister MacKenzie on blind shots

First National Golf Day brings golf leaders to Capitol Hill

In a press conference at the National Press Club to commemorate the first National Golf Day, golf leaders discussed the golf industry’s environmental stewardship and its multi-billion dollar annual contribution to the economy.

According to U.S. Census data, the $76 billion U.S. golf economy is larger than the motion picture and video industries and that golf facility operations generated $28 billion in revenue, exceeding revenues from all other professional and semi-professional spectator sports combined.  The study, which was completed earlier this year, also found that golf generates more than $3.5 billion annually for charities across the country.

“We are here as a very strong industry coalition to present data that demonstrates golf’s extremely positive contributions to the economic health of our nation,” said David B. Fay, Chairman, World Golf Foundation, and executive director of the USGA. “In addition, we want to highlight golf’s environmental stewardship and the game’s very positive charitable and human impact on our society.  Our message is built around the fact that golf is a vital contributor to our nation’s health on a number of significant levels.”

Others at the press conference included Tim Finchem, commissioner of the PGA Tour; Joe Steranka, CEO of the PGA of America; Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation; Joe Louis Barrow Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee; and Libba Galloway, deputy commissioner of the LPGA. Representatives of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America and American Society of Golf Course Architects were also in Washington in recognition of National Golf Day. Each organization is a supporting member of World Golf Foundation.

GCSAA was represented at the event by President David Downing, CGCS, and by members of the association's Government Relations committee.

A bipartisan Congressional resolution sponsored by U.S. Representatives Ron Klein (D-FL) and John Mica (R-FL) declared April 16, 2008, as National Golf Day.

A comprehensive study, the 2005 Golf Economy Report, commissioned by World Golf Foundation’s GOLF 20/20 initiative, determined that golf in the United States generated $76 billion in direct economic impact in 2005, up significantly from $62 billion five years ago. The five-year growth of approximately $14 billion represents an average annual growth rate of 4.1 percent, well ahead of the average annual inflation rate of 2.5 percent during the years 2000-2005.

In addition to golf’s direct revenues, the 2005 Golf Economy Report presents for the first time the direct, indirect, induced and total economic impact of golf on the U.S. economy.  The report indicates that golf generated a total economic impact of $195 billion in 2005, creating approximately 2 million jobs and wage income of $61 billion.

The golf industry is also taking steps to assume a leadership role as a sound steward of the environment.  For decades, the golf industry has been dedicated to investing resources to ensure golf’s compatibility with the environment.

Golf courses have gained their status as sound environmental stewards through professional and proactive management. From 1996 to 2006, a U.S. golf course, on average, implemented five significant environmental improvements. These include installation of native plantings, creating wildlife habitat areas, implementing erosion control measures, irrigation system upgrades and enhancing wetlands. 

Golf is unique among sports in that it is used on a daily basis as the vehicle to raise substantial sums for charities. According to the 2005 Golf Economy Report, golf generates more than $3.5 billion annually for charities across the country.  Golf’s professional tours generate more than $130 million annually through individual tournaments and the players themselves generate significant sums through their own fundraisers and foundations.  More than $3 billion annually is generated at the community level through fundraisers at the more than 16,000 local golf facilities.

Briggs & Stratton celebrates first 100 years

Briggs & Stratton Corp. is holding a yearlong celebration honoring its first 100 years in business. The company plans to celebrate its rich legacy of innovation and continuing success by giving back to the community through numerous festivities in Milwaukee, home of its corporate headquarters, and at many of its locations worldwide.

“This milestone impels us to take pride in what we’ve accomplished so far as well as move forward with a renewed spirit of innovation and a stronger understanding of what Briggs & Stratton stands for,” said John Shiely, chairman, president and CEO. “For 100 years our customers have come to us seeking the best product design and quality, and for 100 years we have consistently delivered. Building more than 100 models of engines, millions of people experience quality when they see the Briggs & Stratton name on their engines.”

Beginning in 1908, the founders of the company, Stephen F. Briggs and Harold M. Stratton, laid a foundation that took the company down a diverse path of producing engine-powered bicycles, electric refrigerators, an electric hybrid automobile prototype, coin-operated paper towel dispensing machines, fuses, auto igniters, locks, keys and more. This continued innovation has led to Briggs & Stratton being the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. 

Today, Briggs & Stratton employs more than 8,000 people with 10 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Now, in addition to manufacturing air-cooled gasoline engines for the outdoor power equipment industry, Briggs & Stratton produces generators, pressure washers, pumps, walk-behind and riding lawn mowers, trimmers, hedgers and more.

The wholly-owned subsidiary, Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group, manufactures portable generators and pressure washers, and is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn and garden and turf care under the Simplicity, Snapper, Ferris and Murray brands.

Greencare for Troops is seeking volunteers

There are currently 150,000 United States soldiers serving in Iraq, which leaves 150,000 families back home in the U.S. without their husbands, wives, dads, moms, brothers and sisters. It seems daunting, but there is a way that every American can volunteer to support them, and it’s easy!

The GreenCare for Troops program, facilitated by Project EverGreen and offers free lawn and landscape care for military families whose major breadwinner is serving in the Middle East. Developed in 2006, the program is working to serve more than 4,500 military families with their lawn care needs.

“It’s not hard to mow someone’s lawn or help trim their shrubs,” said Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen. “What a lot of people don’t think about is that many of these families become single-parent or single-income households— many with small children—when soldiers go overseas, and by doing something so simple you help these families more than you could ever imagine.”

GreenCare for Troops relies on professional and citizen volunteers to make the program possible. Gardner said in 2007 more than 1,000 volunteers supported military families in need and in 2008 the organization is hoping for even more.

Support for GreenCare for Troops comes from many green industry companies. Cub Cadet provides significant and important underwriting for volunteer coordination and administration. Lawn Boy is accepting nominations at http://www.lawn-boy.com for a program to place new Lawn-Boy mowers into the yards of military families with loved ones serving in the Middle East.

To find out how qualified families can apply for free lawn and landscape care click here.