An alliance, a union, a partnership, an affiliation: all terms that can describe a coalition. We Are Golf is a coalition of golf’s leading organizations working together to communicate the game’s economic, charitable, environmental and fitness benefits. The idea is that, together, our combined voices will have a greater impact on reaching various audiences. In the case of We Are Golf, it’s lawmakers and regulators in Washington, D.C.

Coalitions can be important at the local level, as well. In the states of Oregon and Washington, two coalition organizations come to mind: Oregonians for Food & Shelter and Washington Friends of Farms & Forests. Both groups are similar in makeup, comprised of farmers, foresters and spray applicators. Their mission is to educate the public and policymakers about the safe and responsible use of pesticides, fertilizer and biotechnology. The Oregon GCSA along with the Western Washington GCSA each belong to their organizations.

Recently, the state of Washington wanted to tax donated rounds of golf which would have decimated high school golf programs across the state. The Chairman of the WFFF coalition at the time was Steve Kealy, certified golf course superintendent at Glendale Country Club in Bellevue, Wash. Thanks to his chairmanship, Kealy worked closely with WFFF Executive Director Heather Hanson on this misguided issue and the golf industry prevailed.

Similarly, I’m currently representing GCSAA and the Oregon GCSA as chairman of the board at OFS. In Oregon, state lawmakers have put pesticides in their sights and have vowed to take away tools that have been used responsibly by our industry for years. Working through a coalition including foresters, farmers, superintendents and spray applicators, we’ve voiced opposition to the proposed restriction of aerial pesticide applications. Although limiting or banning this type of application wouldn’t impact the work of golf course superintendents, it could open the door to further restrictions down the road by legislators unfamiliar with different pesticide application methods. In response to the proposal, wheat farmers, forest companies, and various other spray applicators provided testimony last week in front of state House and Senate committees. Each group spoke to the importance of aerial applications and the benefits of pesticide products when used responsibly.

Four Oregon GCSA members joined me at the hearing to support the coalition. The committees have not yet taken further action on the proposals, but the OFS coalition felt positive about its message and were proud to help end-users provide quality, credible testimony.

However, Oregon legislators are not stopping there. In addition to proposing a band of all products containing Chlorpyrifos, they are also pursuing legislation to make all neonicotinoid products restricted use only. Some lawmakers have verbally committed to seeing these efforts through, but as I represent an industry that has demonstrated responsible use of these important products, I’m ready to oppose these efforts, and thankfully, I won’t have to do it alone. The golf industry finds itself in difficult political and regulatory times and it is going to take an organized, diligent effort to educate the public and lawmakers on how we use our tools. Please let your voice be heard and consider taking an active role in local coalitions. You can also sign up to become a GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador. The GCSAA government affairs team will be more than happy to help you get connected and engaged on these critical issues.