When the We Are Golf coalition heads to Capitol Hill in a few days, our industry’s story will be told once again to elected officials and their all-important staff members. That story is pretty awesome:
-- Golf creates $70 billion in economic value in the U.S.
-- We touch 2 million jobs, making us a major employer
-- The golf community helps raise $4 billion annually for charity
-- Golf courses provide ecologically valuable greenspace for fitness, family and fun
Those are the headlines we’ll repeat when we meet with key decision-makers next week. But, behind those headlines is another awesome story: the passion that superintendents feel for stewardship.
It’s pretty clear that few superintendents are ever going to get rich and/or famous from their careers. Yet, the vast majority of ya’ll love what you do with a burning passion. Why?
You have a passion for overseeing a piece of property, ensuring its long-term viability and – someday – leaving it better than you found it. That’s the real definition of stewardship. Forget about fuzzy words like “sustainability” or “eco-friendly” and focus on one simply concept: Doing the right thing. That’s why I’m so proud to be part of this industry … because when the chips are down, you guys choose to do the right thing for your land.
I could say something corny about how every day is Earth Day for superintendents, but I’ll resist the temptation just this once. Instead, I’ll say that, because of you, golf continues to grow its reputation as a leader in excellent land management. As urban greenspace becomes scarcer and more important, your role will continue to grow and, I hope, gain more recognition in future. Remember that when times are tough.
For now, celebrate Earth Day along with us and our sponsor Syngenta. I’m pleased to announce that we’re donating 100 percent of their sponsorship money for this enewsletter to help Paul Carter and his team at Harrison Bay continue their efforts to promote wildlife, including their famed eagle program. Thanks Paul!
Pat Jones is GCI's publisher/editorial director.