Five Questions with Lewis Myers of the Congressional Golf Association

In this month’s installment of Five Questions, we spoke to Lewis Myers, Founder and Commissioner of the Congressional Golf Association. Enjoy this monthly series where we check in with professionals around the golf industry to discuss trends, big ideas and more.

1. For those who might not be familiar, can you explain what the Congressional Golf Association’s mission is? 

Our mission at Congressional Golf Association (CGA) is to create golf ambassadors who promote, support, and advance the game to current and prospective golfers, both on and off Capitol Hill.

CGA is an all-inclusive, bipartisan/bicameral organization dedicated to advancing the game of golf through innovative programming and strategic partnerships. No matter your skill level, CGA is committed to fostering professional development, social awareness, and community engagement as we collectively advance the game.

2. Over the past 18 months, golf has seen a surge in popularity larger than anything since the late 1990’s. How, if at all has that changed the way you approach your day-to-day responsibilities? 

CGA, along with Members of Congress, realized early that golf was the perfect sport for social distancing, so we pushed for and ultimately succeeded in getting approval from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) to allow golf courses to re-open. As a result, you are correct, there has been a Boom in golf over the past 18 months.

3. If not the golf industry, what would you be doing for work?

As senior aide to a Member of Congress, I’m truly blessed to be at the nexus of golf and politics.  CGA was birthed out of an idea in 2017 after witnessing the erosion of bipartisanship in Congress. In 2018, I decided to jump headfirst and haven’t stopped swimming.  We’re proud of our members and their contribution to the game and we like to highlight our Diversity, with half of our members being persons of color and female membership representing a full one quarter.

4. Tell us about how you were introduced to the game and who is one person that has had a big influence on you making a career out of the game? 

Tigers win at the Masters in ’97 was my formal introduction to

the game. I’ve been hooked ever since. Over the years, I’ve also come to appreciate the “life” skills the game offers. Its been a true joy to pass that along to new golfers.

5. Initiatives like the Charlie Sifford Exemption are creating more opportunities for minorities at the professional levels. What measures have you seen that stand out when it comes to creating opportunities for minorities at the youth level?

Youth golfers need more resources and more specifically, minority youth golfers.  If golf course and practice facilities are geographically challenging for certain youth, it’s a hinderance from them experiencing the game. The industry, schools and others have to invest the required resources needed to achieve the opportunities aforementioned.