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Joel Jackson: Golf’s positive impact on the economy

By |  June 23, 2014

6675541091_756a1c7275_nEvery spring I make a Joel’s Journey through Florida covering six to seven traditional chapter events. These are their primary fundraisers for the year. That got me thinking about the We Are Golf report that talked about the economic impact of golf in the U. S., a topic that was taken to Washington D.C. with the recent annual Golf Day in the Capitol.

Here on the main streets of America, state and local superintendent chapters have been making positive impacts on several fronts with financial support for turf research funding and local charities. I was reminded time and time again at the various events about the cumulative impact these outings have had on university programs and facilities, scholarships and helping charities serving people in need.

The info I gathered was impressive and I wanted to check with other states to capture the bigger picture. I made contact with some of the chapters in New York, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Michigan, Wisconsin, California and Oregon for their input. There is not enough room to detail all the events and funds raised and counting dollars wasn’t the point. The point was, besides the positive economic and environmental impact golf courses have locally, superintendents are good neighbors helping others.

Suffice it to say that many leading turf programs from coast to coast have been aided by our donations to university facilities, research projects and turf school scholarships as well as general education “legacy” scholarships to members kids going to college. In communities superintendents are supporting environmental enhancement projects, Ronald McDonald House, Food Banks, Children’s Home Societies, Toys for Tots and the list goes on and on.

According to We Are Golf’s national survey we are all part of the $3.9 billion dollars in charitable giving annually. Keep up the good work.

Photo: tom_focus / Foter / Creative Commons

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