Industry Leaders to Bring Story of Golf’s Impact to Congressional Members During National Golf Day

Washington Posts’ Eugene Robinson to Provide Keynote Speech to Industry Leaders, Topgolf to Open Doors with Free Lessons at 50 Locations

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – will join forces Wednesday, May 1 to host the 12th annual National Golf Day on Capitol Hill. More than 300 industry leaders will meet with Congressional members to discuss golf’s economic, charitable, environmental, fitness and societal benefits.

“National Golf Day provides an organized platform for the industry to share first-hand data and personal stories about the $84 billion industry that impacts nearly two million jobs and has a positive impact on communities across the United States,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of World Golf Foundation.

Throughout National Golf Day, data-driven metrics will reveal the health of the sport – from traditional participation to interest and off-course participation to the ways in which it continues to grow and evolve, including key metrics from the recent 2019 Golf Industry Report.

On Tuesday, April 30, golf industry representatives will come together for 17 community service projects at various locations on the National Mall. The community service project is organized by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. For more information on the Community Service Project, click here.

Later that afternoon, Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post and MSNBC Political Analyst, will discuss the political climate in D.C. with golf industry leaders as they prepare for visits on Capitol Hill the following day.

“For 12 years the golf industry has gathered in Washington, D.C. to share the powerful impact that our sport has on the United States,” says Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association and Chairman of the WE ARE GOLF Board. “Lawmakers hear firsthand from their constituents about the myriad benefits golf provides society and this helps inform their future decisions that could affect our sport.”

In partnership with WE ARE GOLF, global sports entertainment leader Topgolf® announced 50 U.S. venues will offer complimentary group golf instruction classes next Wednesday, May 1 to celebrate National Golf Day. Guests who register for a complimentary Topgolf Coach class will receive instruction from a PGA-certified golf professional along with 50% off their next group class. Last year, Topgolf taught more than 4,300 five-minute lessons on National Golf Day.

In 2018, Canada held its inaugural National Golf Day, though this year marks the first time its industry associations will align with the same date as the U.S. golf industry. The respective organizations will create a unified front that increases awareness and overall participation in North America, including simultaneous legislative visits in Ottawa and Washington, D.C. For more information on Canada’s National Golf Day, click here.

For more information, visit www.wearegolf.org.