by
Jeff Jensen
| May 20, 2019
Economic impact of golf in California, labor, NPDES and BMPs among topics of discussion
GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador and St. Mark Golf Club Class A Superintendent Brandon Williams and I visited United States Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-50) and his Deputy District Director Tommy Marquez at their office in El Cajon, Calif. on April 25.
A member of the Republican Party, Congressman Hunter represents California’s 50th District that encompasses the central and northeastern parts of San Diego Country and a small part of Riverside County including the cities of El Cajon, Escondido, San Marcos, Santee and Temecula.
The Congressman was a Major in the United States Marine Corp and was elected to Congress in 2008. Sporting a 12 handicap, he and Deputy District Director Marquez are both avid golfers and play a variety of facilities in the greater San Diego area when time permits.
Brandon and I discussed numerous issues facing the golf industry both in California and nationally including NPDES permitting, labor/H-2B Visa’s and the upcoming rollout of the California State BMP Guide.
Additionally, we discussed the economic impact of the game to the state ($13.6 billion), job creation (128,00) and the impact of St. Mark Golf Club on the San Marcos, Calif. community. St. Mark features 36 holes (18 Championship, 18 Executive), a 146-room hotel, lakefront restaurant and a 60-acre lake complete with water sports recreation. The resort employs over 300 residents, hosts 82,000 rounds and has invested more than $30 million in property upgrades since 2012.
San Marcos is also home to irrigation giant Hunter Industries who St. Mark recently partnered with to upgrade its 30-year old irrigation system which has assisted in improving efficiency and minimizing overall water use.
A stronger economy, job creation, education, immigration, national security and veteran’s issues are some of Congressman Duncan’s top priorities and he was pleased that the golf community took the time to visit with him on issues of importance to our industry.
We thank the Congressman and Deputy District for their time as well as Brandon for advocating on behalf of the golf industry through the Grassroots Ambassador Program. To become an ambassador or learn more about the program, visit the Grassroots Ambassador page.
To learn more about Congressman Hunter and St. Mark Golf Club, visit their respective websites: Congressman Hunter and St. Mark Golf Club.