Friday, February 19, 2016

Representative Paul Gosar speaks to the Cactus & Pine GCSA at Apache Sun Golf Club

The Cactus & Pine GCSA board of directors hosted Arizona Representative Paul Gosar on Thursday, February 18 at Apache Sun Golf Club in San Tan Valley, Ariz.

The event was held to educate Representative Gosar and his key staff on the industries efficient use of water in Arizona as well as the economic impact the game has on the state. Other guests in attendance included representatives from the Arizona Department of Water, Central Arizona Project, CMAA, the Southwest PGA and USGA.

Desert Mountain superintendent Shawn Emerson kicked off the event speaking to the group on the economic impact of the state’s approximately 300 golf facilities. The industry has a total economic impact of $3.4 billion and employs nearly 54,000 people with wage income exceeding $1.4 billion. Emerson noted that Arizona is the eighth largest state in terms of golf industry economic impact.

I spoke to the group on the GCSAA’s Water Use and Conservation Practices on U.S. Golf Courses study as well as potential pesticide restrictions in Arizona and the United States. Jensen also spoke to Gosar’s staff on federal tax exemptions for turfgrass rebates and other water related conservation incentives.

Representative Gosar capped off the day addressing the group on the new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and the potentially devastating effect that the rule could have on golf facilities and other businesses, the Omnibus spending bill, the national debt and how to best work with our legislators and policymakers on both a local and national level. Those in attendance had numerous questions for Representative Gosar about the workings of the U.S. Congress.

A special thanks goes to Apache Sun owner Mike Musulin for hosting the event and Cactus & Pine president Rory Van Poucke and chapter executive Carmella Ruggiero for organizing the day’s activities.

“Advocacy has become a critical component of the golf industry,” said Van Poucke who also serves as the general manager/superintendent at Apache Sun. “We have to educate our legislators and policymaker on the industries efficient use of natural resources, the economic impact of the game and the benefit of the game to our communities as a whole.”

For more information on the event, contact Carmella Ruggiero at carmella@cactusandpine.com.

Cactus & Pine GCSA Board of Directors and guests with Arizona Representative Paul Gosar at Apache Sun Golf Club on February 18, 2016.