Golf Florida Alliance Celebrates Annual 'Florida Golf Day' at State Capitol in Tallahassee

Sunshine State is Home to More Than 1,000 Courses

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) – Golf Florida Alliance – a collaboration of leading organizations representing all segments of the state’s golf industry – today celebrated “Florida Golf Day” at the State Capitol in Tallahassee.

Industry leaders met with members of the House of Representatives and Senate to discuss the industry’s economic impact, growth of youth development programs and enhanced focus on environmental sustainability.

In 2015, GOLF 20/20 reported the game’s direct economic impact in Florida was $8.2 billion in 2013, an increase from $7.5 billion in 2007. The state’s golf industry supports more than 132,000 jobs and $3.6 billion in wage income. Florida is home to more than 1,000 golf courses, the most of any U.S. state.

“We were thrilled to share golf's key findings with state legislators, further promoting the game's many benefits,” says Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation (WGF) and administrator of GOLF 20/20. “Home to more than 1,000 courses, more than any U.S. state, the game contributes to local communities in Florida by creating jobs, driving tax revenue and increasing tourism value."

Florida Golf Day attendees included the Florida Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America, Florida Department of State – Division of Historical Resources, Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, Florida State University Global Club Management Program, Florida State Golf Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Harrell's, North and South Florida Sections of the PGA of America, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, WGF and World Golf Hall of Fame.

“The annual celebration of Florida Golf Day serves as a friendly reminder and testament to the economic, environmental and fitness benefits the game provides to our home state,” says Representative Jim Boyd, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. “Golf plays an integral role in driving and stimulating the economy with contributions that will positively affect generations to come.”

In January, Florida hosted the “PGA Merchandise Show” in Orlando with more than 40,000 attendees and exhibitors from nearly 90 countries with an estimated $82.7 million economic impact to the region. In total, the state will host 14 professional golf tournaments in 2017: five PGA TOUR, three Champions Tour, one LPGA Tour, one Web.com Tour and four Symetra Tour events.

More info: www.golf2020.com, www.wearegolf.org