by
Shane Conroy
| May 09, 2023
It’s the week of National Golf Day, which means GCSAA members are being represented and advocated for on Capitol Hill throughout the week.
The American Golf Industry Coalition, a group of the game’s leading associations and industry partners, including GCSAA, hosts the annual National Golf Day event in Washington, D.C.
Industry leaders meet with members of Congress, the executive branch and federal agencies to discuss golf’s 15,000-plus diverse businesses, 2 million jobs impacted, tax revenue creation and tourism value.
To kick start the week, GCSAA leaders met with the EPA to discuss various GCSAA programs including the First Green, golf course BMPs and the EPA Smart Sector Program.
Following the meeting with the EPA, GCSAA leaders met with the USDA where they discussed the National Turfgrass Federation initiative, funding opportunities, pesticide registration review and ESA consultation along with GCSAA BMPs.
Following the EPA and USDA meetings, Monday wrapped up with a GCSAAPAC Reception with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (Iowa) who serves on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry committee.
Tuesday morning marked the fourth annual Community Service Project which was held at monuments around the National Mall. GCSAA members and industry partners beautified several monuments which included mulching and pruning cherry trees around the Sylvan Theater, seeding and mowing around the Washington Monument, as well as laying sod and planting shrubs at the German American Friendship Garden. Golf has always been a benevolent and charitable industry, and this is yet another example of golf giving back.
Wednesday of the week is officially National Golf Day. Throughout the day, GCSAA members, leaders, as well as staff connect with Senate and House representatives to communicate the game's $102 billion economy, nearly $4 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits.
Rest assured, as a GCSAA member, your best interests are being looked out for at the federal level. Golf’s voice is being heard throughout this week and it's with great pride I can take part in this year’s National Golf Day. Part of GCSAA’s mission is to "promote the profession," and I can’t think of a much better place to promote our members than in our nation’s capital.