Golf course owners and operators who have gone head-to-head with their city council on zoning issues, have concerns about ADA compliance or are trying to make sense of the new healthcare legislation understand the critical role public policy plays in the future of the golf industry and the success of their businesses.
In recognition of that importance, the National Golf Course Owners Association has expanded its advocacy platform with the introduction of a legislative resource center known as Your Voice for Golf. On the Web at voiceforgolf.com, the center is open to owners, operators and other executives whose jobs are related to the business of golf facility ownership and management.
As the individuals with the most at stake in the success of their businesses, course owners and operators are keenly attuned to how the actions of government and regulatory groups can affect their operations, both positively and negatively. Voice for Golf helps these stakeholders move from passive observers to engaged participants.
The site was designed to help educate owners and operators about such legislative and regulatory issues as the Employee Free Choice Act (“Card Check”), disaster relief legislation, ADA compliance and single-rider golf car guidelines, H-2B visas and immigration and eminent domain, as well as local and regional issues affecting the golf business.
Another motivation for developing this resource surfaced in the midst of the economic recession as golf became a target of some lawmakers looking for opportunities to fill revenue gaps. To counter this trend with fact-based arguments, we added to the site information and insight from the NGCOA to clarify our position on key issues.
The site makes available economic impact studies and data that support the contributions the golf industry makes at the local, state and national levels.
Voice for Golf also includes information on critical state and federal legislation affecting the golf business and tools for tracking pending legislation, regulations and policies.
For those who want to actively participate in influencing laws and policy, the site provides turnkey messages that allow them to communicate easily with policymakers at federal and state levels.
The site complements the We Are Golf Coalition, which has the support of the NGCOA along with the PGA of America, CMAA, GCSAA, leading golf course operators and other industry groups. These organizations have joined forces to represent the economic, human and environmental benefits of the industry at federal, state and local levels of government.
We Are Golf builds on the momentum of the past two National Golf Day events conducted in Washington, D.C., and collaborative efforts in executing state economic impact studies. The 2 million jobs generated by the multi-billion-dollar industry, and golf’s significant economic impact are at the core of the coalition’s message.
For too long golf course owners and operators have been on the sidelines when it came to affecting laws and policy that relate directly to their businesses. Our game – bolstered by our businesses – has also been a silent partner in the health, vitality and growth of local, state and national economies. Now, with the help of these two initiatives, golf is standing up to be counted and finding its voice.
Joe Rice is chief marketing officer for the NGCOA.
