By Ronnie Miles, NGCOA, Senior Director of Advocacy
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The past few weeks have delivered a clear reminder of what coordinated advocacy can accomplish when the golf industry shows up, speaks with one voice, and stays engaged.
In Colorado, two separate legislative efforts raised meaningful concerns for golf course owners and operators. The first, HB1119, proposed allowing local governments to adopt a split-rate property tax system, shifting more of the tax burden onto land rather than improvements. For an industry built on large acreages, this would have created real pressure, particularly for daily fee and municipal facilities already operating on tight margins. Over time, it also risked accelerating redevelopment pressure in high-growth markets.
NGCOA, alongside the Colorado Golf Association and members of the Colorado Golf Coalition, moved quickly. On April 16, Rachel Carter and Ed Mate delivered testimony before the House, clearly outlining how the proposal would impact golf businesses, jobs, and community access. Their message was grounded in real operational data and reinforced by coordinated outreach from industry stakeholders across the state.
Behind the scenes, the broader coalition played a critical role in aligning messaging and ensuring lawmakers understood both the economic and community value of golf facilities. The result, the bill was defeated in committee. That outcome reflects disciplined advocacy, credible voices, and strong relationships built over time.
A second Colorado issue, HB1316, took a different path but reached an equally positive result. This proposal would have restricted private golf clubs from requiring mandatory social memberships within certain golf communities. While the bill was rooted in a localized dispute, its broader implications could have extended far beyond one neighborhood.
Through direct engagement with the bill sponsor, Representative Elizabeth Hamerick, it became clear that a legislative solution was not necessary. After productive dialogue, the bill was withdrawn before being formally introduced. NGCOA member Invited Clubs played an important role in helping communicate the practical realities of club operations, while legal and strategic support from lobby firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck helped guide the broader advocacy approach.
Leadership within NGCOA also proved essential. Whitey O'Malley, NGCOA President, along with Jay Karen, NGCOA CEO, Rachel Carter, NGCOA Sr Director of Membership and coalition board members, remained actively engaged throughout the process, reinforcing the importance of a unified industry voice. The continued coordination and support of the Colorado Golf Coalition ensured that stakeholders were aligned and responsive at every stage.
These efforts not only prevented a potentially problematic policy outcome but also demonstrated how constructive dialogue can resolve issues without the need for sweeping legislation.
Similar success was seen in Virginia, where HB978 proposed a significant expansion of the state’s sales and use tax to include services widely used within the golf industry. While not a rate increase, the bill represented one of the largest tax base expansions applied to golf in the state, with an estimated impact of $31 to $60 million annually on operations.
The implications were clear. Higher costs for operators would either be passed on to golfers or absorbed by facilities, reducing reinvestment in staff, course conditions, and community programming. Either outcome would have affected participation and long-term sustainability, particularly for public-access courses.
In response, NGCOA partnered with the Virginia Coalition for Recreation, Fitness, and Sports Facilities. The coalition’s efforts were led by Patrick King, General Manager, Army Navy Club, whose leadership helped bring together a broad group of impacted businesses. With the support of a retained lobbying firm and coordinated outreach from NGCOA members, the coalition effectively communicated the unintended consequences of the bill to lawmakers.
The result was a successful push to have HB978 tabled for the current legislative session. While the issue may return in 2027, the immediate threat has been addressed, giving operators needed certainty in the near term.
Across all three efforts, the common thread is clear. Advocacy works when it is proactive, coordinated, and driven by credible voices who understand the real-world impact of policy decisions.
These wins are worth recognizing, and so are the people behind them. From testimony and coalition leadership to legal strategy and member engagement, each played a role in protecting the interests of golf course owners and operators.
At the same time, these outcomes serve as a reminder. Legislative and regulatory challenges are not slowing down. Staying informed, engaged, and unified as an industry will continue to be critical.
NGCOA remains committed to that effort, and these recent successes show what is possible when the right people step forward and the industry leans in together. NGCOA is also grateful to our NGCOA Champions Circle contributors, who, without their support, these victories could have ended with different outcomes.