More than 250 golf industry professionals – including an impressive 47 NGCOA members – were welcomed to Washington, D.C. May 8-10 for the 16th Annual National Golf Day, organized by the American Golf Industry Coalition. 175 NGCOA members and other industry leaders, association representatives, and advocates participated in nearly 230 legislative meetings on Thursday, May 9.
Not only is this annual industry event an opportunity to celebrate the industry and recognize its major contributions to the American economy, but it serves as another NGCOA Member benefit. It’s also, by extension, a positive reason to join other golf business owners and operators for several days to discuss and explore what's transpiring in the industry and the legislation that could positively or negatively impact your golf business.
One NGCOA Member commented to me, "It was my first time attending National Golf Day, as well as my first time advocating for anything! I enjoyed getting to see how it all works and quite honestly, it gave me a greater appreciation for all that NGCOA does for us as golf business owners."
The business of golf generates jobs, commerce, economic development and tax revenues to communities across the nation, not to mention the positive health and wellness contributions. Golf drives state tourism, sparks new construction and residential development, generates retail sales and creates demand for a myriad of services and goods.
According to the American Golf Industry Coalition's latest Golf Impact Report, golf impacts nearly two million Americans whose livelihoods directly or indirectly depend on it. The total economic impact of golf in America is estimated at $102 billion, serving 45 million golfers (11% of the U.S. population) and impacts 1.65 million jobs across the country.
Congressional Meetings on Capitol Hill – The Key Issues
The key issues discussed on the Hill included: Modernizing the U.S. Tax Code 144 (c)(6)(B) so that golf would be removed from the list of businesses that are disqualified and deemed "unworthy" of various forms of disaster relief and economic stimulus programs available such as restaurants, hotels and attractions. Without an amendment, golf courses are excluded from accessing financial investment to undertake projects in economically challenged communities that could provide enhanced public recreational experiences for Americans, generate funds for local charities and support communities with steady and rewarding job and career opportunities.
Constituents were also urging Congress to continue their support for turfgrass research and development as a priority in the 2018 Farm Bill. The Agricultural Committee leadership in the House and Senate are working to finalize initial bill drafts. Because turfgrass covers an estimated 60 million acres nationwide, this issue is a top priority for the industry and for the nation. Healthy, dense turfgrass protects water quality and recharges groundwater, mitigates soil erosion and cools our environment.
And lastly, participants asked Congress to pass the PHIT Act for Life-Long Health (H.R. 1582, S. 786). PHIT would allow 100 million Americans the option to use their HSA/FSA funds not solely on over-the-counter and prescription drug copays, but also on activity expenses to lower the cost of leading a healthy lifestyle by permitting the use of funds for activities such as youth and adult sport league fees, youth camps, green fees, lesson and clinic fees, gym and healthy club fees and more.
Supplementary issues were asking for support for "Closing the Workforce Gap Act of 2024" (HR 7574), "Promoting Reduction of Emissions Through Landscaping Act" (HR 6013), and "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" (HR 1477).
Inaugural NGCOA Champions Circle Dinner
On Wednesday, May 8, following the Congressional Reception at the Russell Senate Building, the NGCOA hosted its inaugural NGCOA Champions Circle Dinner at the iconic Monocle Restaurant. This invitation-only dinner was held to celebrate 40 NGCOA Champions Circle Patrons and Members who made financial contributions to our advocacy work in 2024, as well as to recognize our 2024 NGCOA Champion Award recipients.
Congressional guests included Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Kathryn Cammack (FL-03), and their respective staff. During the dinner, Rep. Mace and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) were awarded the 2024 Champion Award for re-establishing the Congressional Golf Caucus. Rep. Tenney and Rep. Panetta were also awarded the 2024 Champion Award for co-sponsoring the Modernizing the U.S. Tax Code bill.
A significant takeaway for me from my time with one of the representatives I sat with for dinner, was that she represents a district that boasts 92 golf courses and she said she has never heard from any of them. She found that surprising, being many are small business owners who may miss out on state programs that could benefit their business including tax programs, debt relief and other opportunities. It is so important that local business owners establish relationships with their representatives and the NGCOA is here to help.
NGCOA has toolkits and best practice guides for hosting Golf Days at your statehouse, and can help you develop rapport with your state and district representatives so when issues arise, you've already built a strong relationship with them. These relationships are what saved the golf industry from catastrophic loss during the COVID pandemic and it is what will protect our members in the future.
National Golf Day Community Service Project
The 2024 National Golf Day Community Service Project was held this year, at two locations – the National Mall near the Jefferson Memorial and the historic Langston Golf Course. Significant planning by the National Golf Day Community Service Project Planning Committee, National Park Service and Trust for the National Mall, and several supportive commercial partners brought together nearly 165 volunteers to complete six different work projects including mulching under the cherry trees, stump removal, yews platings, mowing, landscape bed care, and bench repair.
Our NGCOA members are accustomed to hard, physical labor and this day proved no different. The 47 members in attendance marked our highest turnout to date! The contributions by commercial partners and volunteers resulted in beautification projects that will enhance millions of visitors to our nation's capital throughout the spring and summer. I can't wait to return next year!
With National Golf Day 2024 in the books, we can rest assured that congressional offices are more aware today of the impact our industry has on the overall American economy and landscape. We must keep communicating though, as it is no small feat to capture the attention of policymakers among the thousands of issues hitting their desks daily.
Next year is being dubbed "Tax Superbowl" or "Tax Armageddon" on the Hill as many of the provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that benefited businesses and individuals will expire. No matter who holds the White House and Congress after the 2024 elections, changes to the tax code are coming — hopefully to the benefit of our golf businesses.