Legislative staffs updated on golf’s water efforts and concerns with protecting equal and affordable access to municipal and daily fee golf

GCSAA Senior Manager of Government Affairs Michael Lee joined members of the California Alliance for Golf on Oct. 9 at the California State Capitol in Sacramento to discuss issues currently effecting the California golf industry. Joining Lee was Southern California Golf Association Director of Public Affairs Kevin Fitzgerald, GCSAA Southwest Field Representative Jeff Jensen, California Alliance for Golf Executive Director Craig Kessler, California Alliance for Golf Lobbyist Nicole Quinonez and Southern California Golf Association Manager of Public Affairs Morris Thomas. 

The first topic of discussion with the various legislative offices was golf’s concerns with 3^rd party tee time vendors who operate without a written agreement between themselves and courses in the state. This has become a particular problem in Los Angeles and San Diego where the brokering of municipal course times without an agreement have left local residents without access to those courses that are operated for the benefit of those residents. Golf is exploring sponsoring an iteration of “reservation anti-piracy acts” that have been introduced by the restaurant industry in multiple states. 3^rd party vendors who operate by written agreement with courses would not be subject to the bills and would also benefit by blocking companies who operate without an agreement. 

We also provided updates on golf’s efficient use and management of water in the state and the industries support of California Senate Bill 72 which was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Oct. 1. SB 72 introduces several core requirements for the Department of Water Resources (DWR), including establishing enforceable long-term supply targets considering current and future needs for all beneficial uses, including urban, agricultural, tribal and environmental sectors. The bill also requires strategic planning for new water storage, conservation, recycling, desalination,and groundwater management with an ambitious goal of developing an additional 9 million acre-feet of water supply by 2040. The California Alliance for Golf recognizes the need for a balanced approach that starts with conservation, but also includes increased storage, groundwater recharge and numerous technologies that will help the state capture more of its winter precipitation. 

Meetings were held with Brian Anderson, Chief Consultant for Arts, Entertainment and Sports; John Bennett, California Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee; Dylan Davis from the office of Assemblymember Natasha Johnson and Samantha Omana, legislative director for Senator Monique Limon. 

For more information on GCSAA and CAG’s advocacy issues, visit GCSAA and CAG.