North Carolina Golf day highlights achievements, benefits of the industry

By |  June 26, 2018 0 Comments
Gov. Rick Cooper presents the NC Golf Day proclamation with golf industry representatives

Governor Roy Cooper (center) presents the North Carolina Golf Day proclamation with golf industry representatives. Sen. Rick Gunn stands center in gray suit.

Governor Roy Cooper has declared June 20 North Carolina Golf Day, lauding the golf industry’s role as a major driver in the state’s economy. Golf provides an annual direct and indirect economic impact of $4.2-billion in North Carolina and supports more than 53,000 jobs paying $1.3 billion in wages.

In announcing North Carolina Golf Day, Gov. Cooper (R) welcomed a delegation of golf industry representatives to the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh.

Gov. Cooper noted that through nationally and internationally televised events such as the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, golf continues to generate immense free publicity and promotion for the state, attracting visitors and critical tourism dollars.

Golf provides valuable green space in urban settings by moderating temperatures, mitigating air, noise and water pollution and providing wildlife habitat, said the Governor.

Carolina GCSA representatives present $107,000 check for turfgrass research

Carolinas GCSA present a check for $107,000 to further turfgrass research at North Carolina State University. Left to right: Drs. Grady Miller and Jim Kerns, NCSU, and board members David Lee (Hope Valley Country Club, Durham, N.C.) and Brian Stiehler, CGCS, MG (Highlands Country Club in Highland, N.C.)

He added that municipal, public and private courses provide physical and social benefits to users of all ages and demographics.

The Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association presented a check for $107,000 to further turfgrass research efforts at North Carolina State University.

The money was raised through an annual online auction of donated tee-times known as Rounds4Research. The auction was created by the Carolinas GCSA 10 years ago and has since grown to a national event.

Since the auction’s inception, the Carolinas GCSA has donated $365,000 to research at NC State and Clemson University in South Carolina.

“We are proud to support these research programs because they are critical to continuing all the economic, environmental and social good that the game provides,” said Carolinas GCSA executive director Tim Kreger.

“As traditional funding has dwindled, golf has been very active in stepping up to be part of the solution,” Kreger said. “We are grateful to all elements of the golf industry in helping making this happen, from owners to golfers themselves and everyone in between.”

Earlier on NC Golf Day, golf industry delegation members met with Senator Mike Woodard (D-22) at the legislative building. Woodard spoke at length about state issues and how they pertained to the golf industry.

The delegation also heard a presentation by Christopher Chung, CEO of the N.C. Economic Development Partnership, and met with Senator Rick Gunn (R-24).

In addition to the Carolinas GCSA, golf industry interests represented in the delegation included the Carolinas Golf Association, Carolinas PGA Section, Carolinas Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America, North Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, American Society of Golf Course Architects, individual clubs and equipment manufacturers.

Photos: David Norman

This is posted in Industry News


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