The unified California golf industry formally released findings last week from The California Golf Economy: Economic & Environmental Impact Report. Industry leaders gathered at Del Paso CC (Sacramento, Calif.) to share the 52-page report with media and governmental leaders.

Commissioned by Golf 20/20 for the California Alliance for Golf (and prepared by SRI International) the study documents the golf industry’s financial impact upon the state — $13.1 billion of overall economic activity that supports more than 128,000 jobs, $4.1 billion of wage income, and more than $346.6 million in charitable giving annually. The study also details the golf industry’s environmental record with respect to water conservation, energy efficiency, and prudent environmental stewardship.

“Golf is more than a game; it is a business providing economic vitality for myriad California communities, jobs for thousands of residents, healthy outdoor recreation for families, necessary green space, and millions of dollars in charity to various local community causes,” said California State Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado Hills).

According to the 2013 study, with 921 unique golf facilities within the state, golf in California is an industry that generates more direct economic activity than movie theaters, fitness/recreational sports, greenhouse/nursery crops, and amusement/theme parks. It brings visitors to the state, spurs new construction, generates retail sales, and creates demand for a myriad of goods and services ancillary to the industry. Almost unique among participatory sports, golf gives back through direct charitable activities and supports hundreds of non-profit organizations dedicated to youth, seniors, individuals with disabilities plus educational initiatives and other community-based endeavors.

“The golf industry adds $13 billion to the California economy, provides jobs for thousands, charity to many, and outdoor recreation for persons of all ages,” commented California State Senator Steve Knight (R-Santa Clarita).

In addition to the economic impact of golf, the SRI study provides keen insight into the golf industry’s use of water. The study reveals that golf consumes less than 1.2% of the total water used to irrigate crops, accounts for less than 1% of the total fresh water consumed in the state, and generates significantly higher economic returns per acre-foot of water than most other water-intensive industries.

The CAG General Membership Meeting and News Conference included representation from the following allied golf organizations: Northern California Golf Association (NCGA), Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), Northern California PGA Section (NCPGA), Southern California PGA Section (SCPGA), California Golf Course Superintendents Association (CGSAA), Pacific Women’s Golf Association (PWGA), Women’s Southern California Golf Association (WSCGA), Women’s Golf Association of Northern California (WGANC), Women’s Public Links Golf Association of Southern California (WPLGA), Golden State Chapter of the Club Manager’s Association (CCMA), California Turfgrass & Landscape Foundation, (CTLF), Southern California Municipal Golf Association (SCMGA), California Golf Course Owners Association (CGCOA), San Francisco Public Golf Alliance (SFPGA) and the Northern California Golf Representatives Association (NCGRA).

Also in attendance were representatives of leading golf management companies including: American Golf Corporation, Club Corp, CourseCo, Empire Golf, Greenway Golf, Kemper Sports, ValleyCrest, and a contingent of media representatives.

“After weathering the deepest recession since the 1930′s and dealing with some of the over saturation caused by the boom of the 90′s, we’re headed back up again,” said California Alliance for Golf President and Southern California PGA Section CEO Tom Addis III. “It is apparent that our industry agrees, and continues to care about the future of the game, well-evidenced by the representation we had at our recent general membership meeting and news conference.”

To obtain a copy of The California Golf Economy: Economic & Environmental Impact Report and/or its executive summary visit The California Alliance for Golf web site:http://www.cagolf.org/governmentrelations/golf-economic-study.html. Download the summary directly by clicking here or the full report by clicking here.

Media Contact:
Emmy Moore Minister
EmmyPGA@aol.com

Governmental Relations Contact:
Craig Kessler
CKessler@scga.org