Here's What's In Store For You...
ATTENDEES
WE ARE GOLF, a coalition of golf’s leading organizations, will host its ninth National Golf Day on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
“With 2016 being an election year, it’s even more important for political leaders to understand the impact our industry has on local communities and millions of Americans,” said Steve Mona, Chief Executive Officer of World Golf Foundation, administrator of WE ARE GOLF. “Since our first event in 2008, National Golf Day has educated our nation’s lawmakers about the countless benefits of the game, and we look forward to continuing this agenda in May.”
The 2015 event featured industry leaders from the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Ladies Professional Golf Association, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, United States Golf Association, United States Golf Manufacturers Council, WGF and others were in attendance to discuss golf’s economic, environmental, charitable and fitness benefits to Congressional, executive branch and agency leaders.
The Presidents Cup Captains Nick Price (International) and Jay Haas (U.S.) were also in attendance to speak at The First Tee Congressional Breakfast and participate in the National Golf Day kick-off in the Rayburn Foyer.
The First Tee Congressional Breakfast was held in the U.S. Capitol Building. Pictured left to right: Price, Joe Louis Barrow (CEO, The First Tee), Michelle Xie (The First Tee Scholar – 2015), Haas, Tim Finchem (Commissioner, PGA TOUR).
Pictured left to right: Price, Barrow, Robert Arguello (The First Tee Scholar – 2015), Haas, Finchem.
Mona (above) provided opening remarks to a full room of Congressional Members, staffers, golf industry leaders and media members.
Photo Credits: Stan Badz / PGA TOUR
2015 Recap
National Golf Day 2015 was the most successful to date, with over 100 scheduled Congressional meetings in one day.
A day-long exhibit in the Rayburn Foyer featured live lessons for members of Congress and staff with Golf Channel’s Michael Breed (Host of “The Golf Fix”) and LPGA Teaching Professional Karen Palacios-Jansen; an aboutGolf simulator with a “Closest to the Pin” contest; state-of-the-art swing analysis from GolfTEC; Birdie Ball, the latest at-home training technology; National Arboretum’s “Grassroots Initiative” overview; a Republican vs. Democrat “Putting Challenge;” and a GSCAA turf educational display.
Throughout the event, golf leaders and other special guests discussed the game’s tax benefits to local communities and asked for equal treatment as a legitimate industry with close to 15,350 small businesses.
“Today (April 15) marked a unique opportunity to share golf’s significant impact with political leaders,” says Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation and administrator of WE ARE GOLF. “Our broad scope is reflected in the two million jobs supported by the game and its diverse benefits to our economy and society.”
Social Media
In 2015, the National Golf Day Twitter campaign (#NGD15) exceeded more than 37.6 million impressions (16 million in 2014, 7.2 million in 2013). More than 19.8 million Twitter and Facebook unique accounts were reached in 30 days.
During #NGD15’s peak on April 15 between 2 and 3 p.m. EST, the campaign exceeded 4.2 million Twitter impressions.
Want to join the conversation? Lend your voice and speak to Congressional leaders about why golf is more than a game to you.
