Thursday, December 15, 2016

Golf industry economic impact study now available for the state of Arizona



State’s golf courses have an estimated total economic contribution of $3.9 billion and directly employ 18,750 full and part-time employees


The Cactus & Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association, with cooperation from the Club Managers Association of America and the Southwest PGA Section, released the “The Contribution of the Golf Industry to the Arizona Economy” study on Dec. 13, 2016 at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.   

The study, conducted by the Department of Agriculture & Resource Economics and Cooperative Extension at the University of Arizona utilizes the results of a statewide survey, secondary data and an economic contribution analysis using the IMPLAN model to determine the game’s contribution to the Arizona economy as well as its influence on the environment.  

“The study indicates the importance of the golf industry to the state of Arizona and its residents,” stated Rory Van Poucke, Cactus & Pine GCSA president and general manager/Class A superintendent at Apache Sun Golf Club in San Tan Valley, Ariz.  “Golf in Arizona has a total economic impact of $3.9 billion, directly employs 18,750 full and part-time employees and generates $72 million in state and local taxes. These numbers substantiate golf’s contribution to the economic vitality of the state.”  

The state’s over 300 facilities played host to 11.6 million rounds of golf in 2014.  “Over 32 percent of those rounds were played by out-of-state and foreign visitors accounting for $1.1 billion in total sales”, said Cactus & Pine GCSA executive director Carmella Ruggiero. “The golf industry continues to be one of the primary drivers of tourism to Arizona.”

In addition to the economic contributions, the study also highlights the industries conservation and management practices.  Golf uses only 1.9 percent of Arizona’s total freshwater withdrawals and courses have reduced the average number of acres overseeded from 89.3 in 2009 to 75.8 in 2014. “The study demonstrates our industries continued efforts in the area of water conservation and sustainable environmental practices,” said Desert Mountain director of agronomy Shawn Emerson. “We are proving that you can balance the use of natural resources while achieving bottom line results.”

Access the full report here.

The Cactus & Pine GCSA is recognized as a unified voice for the turfgrass industry in Arizona and is dedicated to enhancing the professional recognition of its members through education, leadership, collaboration, government relations and environmental stewardship.  For more information, visit the Cactus & Pine website.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Hi-Lo Desert and Sierra Nevada GCSA hold annual election meetings

Hoyer and Dickson elected to lead respective associations

The Hi-Lo Desert GCSA and Sierra Nevada GCSA recently held their annual election meetings at the Club at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. and The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton, Calif.

The Hi-Lo Desert GCSA elected Class A superintendent Chris Hoyer of Bermuda Dunes Country Club to serve as president, Class A superintendent Tyler Truman of Mountain Vista Golf Club to serve as vice president and Class A superintendent Tyler Tang of the Club at Morningside as secretary/treasurer.

Others elected to the board included Class A superintendent Nick Hanson of O’Donnell Golf Club, Roger Compton of Thunderbird Country Club and Andy Means of Stotz Equipment/John Deere who will serve as the affiliate liaison.

The Sierra Nevada GCSA elected Class A superintendent and regional director of maintenance Scott Dickson of BrightView Golf Maintenance as president, Class A superintendent Bill Hamilton of Lake Wildwood Golf Club as vice president and Class A superintendent Rob Williams of Schaffer’s Mill Golf Club as secretary/treasurer.

Other newly elected board members include John Farley of Teal Bend Golf Club and Matt Graves of Stotz Equipment/John Deere who will serve as the affiliate liaison.

I’d like to thank Hi-Lo Desert and Sierra Nevada outgoing president’s Jon Maddern and Kurtis Wolford for their exceptional service to their respective associations.

Jon is a past president of GCSAA (2003) and took the time to come back and provide veteran leadership for a young but talented group of officers and board members in the Coachella Valley. His efforts on water management in the valley are exemplary and his successful term is also marked by the completion of the Coachella Valley Golf Industry Economic Impact Report and his assistance with the creation of the annual Coachella Valley Golf Industry Summit.

Kurtis assisted in forming the Sacramento Golf Industry Water Conservation Task Force during his time on the board and serves as co-chair (with Del Rio Country Club Class A superintendent Dave Bermudez) of the Sierra Nevada GCSA Scholarship & Research Committee which raises nearly $35,000 annually for deserving students in the region. As an alum of the GCSAA Melrose Academy, Kurtis selflessly promotes the program to other superintendents, resulting in a Sierra Nevada representative being elected the past three years.

Congratulations to all of the above members and thank you for your service to your association and the golf industry. I look forward to working with you in 2017.

Find more information on the chapters: Hi-Lo Desert GCSA and Sierra Nevada GCSA.