First, I would like to thank every Grassroots Ambassador out there for taking the proactive step on getting involved. The GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador Program has already shown great dividends across the country by making our legislators aware of issues impacting golf today. Now, more than ever, we need to continue our engagement, not only at the national level but at the state and local level as well.

Even if your districts Grassroots Ambassador position is full, there is still room for you to advocate for the industry. First, make sure you let your field staff representative or Michael Lee at mlee@gcsaa.org know that you are interested and he will put you on an advocacy team and keep you informed of opportunities to help. With that said, I would like to give you all an example of how you can become engaged with your local and state legislators.

I recently attended the Western Washington GCSA winter meeting where Brian Horgan, Ph.D., presented on the value of golf.  Following his presentation, Washington Friends of Farms and Forests lobbyist, Heather Hansen, gave a great presentation on getting engaged with state legislators. She provided a handout that I would like to replicate for you below. She offers great tips for getting engaged.

A Strategic Communications Primer from Heather Hansen

You’ve all heard the saying: the world is run by those who show up. It is very true in politics – and that includes regulations. Those who do not speak up, let others set the agenda.

Elected officials can have a significant influence over what you can or cannot do on your golf course.This includes city council members, county councils or commission members and state legislators. Getting to know them, understanding their interests and concerns, and helping them understand the asset value of your golf course, is an important piece of maintaining your social license to maintain your golf course property.

The more they understand about the value you bring to your community, the more likely they will be to support your golf course and not increase restrictions on the way you manage.

The first step is getting to know them and getting them to know your golf course, so invite them to come visit. Do your homework, every legislator has a bio on their home page of their legislative website. If you Google their name, you will also find a campaign page with more information. This background information will tell you their interests and priorities which will help you shape your message.

You may have to reach out more than once. If you do not get a response via email, try calling.

Prepare a one-page handout with information about your golf course including the number of employees, number of members, and any activities you participate in such as First Green, First Tee, sponsoring a youth team, water monitoring, pollinator plantings, etc.

Sample Invitation:

I recently attended an event where Brian Horgan, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University spoke about the value of golf courses as a natural resource.

Horgan, Ph.D.’s research focuses on golf courses as open space, a habitat for plants and animals in an urban space, and a place which reduces the temperature of its surrounding community. A golf course is an asset to any community or municipality.

I would like to invite you to visit ______________ Golf Course to see the value it brings as an open space that provides habitat and clean water to our community. I understand your schedule is busy. Please let me know when we can schedule a one-hour tour. (If there are specific times of the day or days of the week that will not work, include those.) 

 _____________

Similar resources and template letters are available to Grassroots Ambassadors here:

If you are new to advocacy, Michael Lee will work directly with you to get your foot in the door to begin working with your lawmakers. I have been working with Michael for a few years now and when I say help you get your foot in the door, I’m not kidding. Michael's background is well seeded in the political arena and, trust me, he will do what he says!

You may not think this makes a difference but if you can just get one thing inside the head of your legislator, they may remember and go to you for any questions that may arise on a particular bill. Back when Colorado’s Mitch Savage first became an ambassador, he reached out to the office of his representative and the next thing he knew he was being invited to sit down with Representative Diana DeGette at a small local town hall.

In difficult times like these, having a relationship with those making public policy decisions is extremely important. Get involved today by visit GCSAA's Government Affairs page.

David Phipps
NW Region Field Staff Representative
dphipps@gcsaa.org