by
Jeff Jensen
| Dec 12, 2019
U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar highlights the value of golf to the state
The Cactus and Pine GCSA hosted the Arizona Golf Industry Roundtable on Dec. 2 at Arizona Country Club in Phoenix. U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) served as the keynote speaker at the roundtable.
Past Cactus & Pine President Rory Van Poucke, Class A superintendent and general manager at Apache Sun Golf Club, and Cactus & Pine Executive Director Carmella Ruggiero organized the event, which featured representatives from Antigua, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona Golf Association, Central Arizona Project, GCSAA, Greater Southwest Chapter Club Managers Association of America, Maricopa County, National Golf Course Owners Association, Ping, Salt River Project, Southwest PGA, USGA and prominent members of Arizona’s regulatory community.
Gosar focused his talk on the economic impact of the game to the state ($3.9 billion) and its effect on overall tourism, employment (nearly 42,000 jobs), local and state tax impact, support industries and the value that the game has in building personal relationships.
“The golf industry provides massive economic benefits to the Arizona economy and is a key driver for the tourism and lodging industry,” said Gosar. “They use the latest water saving technologies and provide a wholesome recreational opportunity for friends and families.”
Questions from the audience focused on the current state of Waters of the United States (WOTUS), H-2B Visa needs, Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan and the current happenings in the Washington, D.C.
Van Poucke, who serves on GCSAA’s Government Relations Committee, has been key in getting Gosar involved in the state golf industry building the relationship through GCSAA’s Grassroots Ambassador Program, which pairs a GCSAA member with their respective House or Senate member.
“It’s important that golf’s voice is heard in Congress as well as at the state and local level,” said Van Poucke. “Congressman Gosar has been a champion of the game in Arizona and we truly appreciate his outreach and support.”
Other speakers at the event included the Arizona Department of Water Resources Program Manager Natalie Mast, who spoke to the group on the critical fourth and fifth management plans that will affect future water use for courses in the five active management areas and Desert Mountain Director of Agronomy Shawn Emerson who also spoke on the value of the game to the state as well as its environmental contributions.
“We were so happy to have Congressman Gosar and District Director Penny Pew out to speak in support of golf,” said Ruggiero. “It’s critical that that our industry professionals understand the issues and opportunities facing the game.”
A special thanks goes out to Arizona Country Club General Manager Desi Speh for hosting the event at one of the premier clubs in the valley.
For more information on the Cactus & Pine GCSA, the Arizona Golf Industry Economic Impact Study and the Arizona Golf Industry BMP, visit the website at www.cactusandpine.com.