Grassroots advocacy is in full swing as the golf season ramps up across the country. On April 21, GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador Don Garrett, CGCS, hosted Wil Watkins from the office of Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-SC) for a site visit at the Walker Course at Clemson University. The visit provided a strong example of advocacy in action by connecting federal staff directly with the people and places behind the golf industry.

Garrett described this meeting as relaxed and conversational, where he introduced GCSAA and the Grassroots Ambassador Program and outlined the scale of the industry, including its $226 billion economic impact, 47.2 million participants and more than 15,000 facilities nationwide. He also highlighted the industry’s charitable reach and community involvement, helping ground the conversation in local relevance. 

From there, Garrett walked through key policy and sustainability priorities, including science-based best management practices (BMPs), the importance of continued turfgrass research funding through the Farm Bill, and the National Turfgrass Research Initiative. Watkins showed particular interest in the industry’s proactive approach to research funding, especially the Rounds 4 Research program, which has generated more than $1 million in support from the Carolinas chapter alone for Clemson and NC State research programs.

The conversation then moved onto the course, where Garrett brought those topics to life. He showcased 15 acres of naturalized turf areas designed to reduce water use and inputs, demonstrated precision irrigation practices and highlighted the use of autonomous mowing technology to improve efficiency. Garrett also discussed land management along Lake Hartwell, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, offering broader context on water resources and public land coordination.

The visit ended with a strong rapport established between Garrett and Watkins, including an invitation for Rep. Biggs to visit the facility in the future. Watkins also offered to serve as a resource moving forward, reinforcing the value of the connection built during the visit.

This site visit is a clear example of the Grassroots Ambassador Program in action where advocacy is not just discussed but demonstrated. In his 39th year as a GCSAA member, Garrett’s leadership on the ground continues to show how powerful these in-person conversations can be in advancing understanding of the golf industry and its impact.