Golf Alliance Unveils Economic Impact Study

Oregon's Golf Economy Estimated at $1.2 Billion
Contributes More than 27,000 Jobs and a Total Economic Impact Over $2.5 Billion Annually

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Oregon City, Ore. (October 20, 2010) -- Representing the Golf Alliance of Oregon (GAO), Barb Trammell, CEO of the Oregon Golf Association today unveiled the results of an economic impact study at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City.  The research study was conducted on behalf of the Golf Alliance of Oregon, a consortium of the major trade and consumer golf associations.
 
"This was the first major undertaking of our alliance," noted Trammell.  "We came together because it is important that we address the issues that face our industry together and with one voice.
 
"With the region's economy showing few signs of recovery, the state searching for solutions to its budget mess, and concerns regarding the environment and sustainability, the GAO funded a study to quantify the impact golf has in our communities.  The study, conducted by SRI International of Menlo Park, Calif. was also funded in part by Golf 20/20, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation.
 
"In order to get the attention of decision-makers, it is important that we be able to quantify the contributions of our industry to those that may be affected," noted Trammell. "The continued health and growth of the golf industry has a direct bearing on future jobs, commerce, economic development, and tax revenues for a large number of Oregon's communities and industries," she added.
 
Dr. Peter Ryan, provided details on the project he led on behalf of SRI International and the World Golf Foundation.
 
"The importance of golf in Oregon extends beyond the golf facilities themselves. With $1.2 billion of direct economic activity in 2008, the sheer size of the game of golf makes it a major industry in its own right and a significant contributor to Oregon's economy," added Ryan.
 
"That makes Oregon's golf industry revenues comparable in size to other important industries here including paper manufacturing ($3.7 billion), software publishing ($1.4 billion), and even the greenhouse and nursery business ($0.9 billion).""In total, Oregon's golf industry generated an economic impact of $2.5 billion, supporting nearly 27,200 jobs with $703.6 million of wage income," said Ryan. 
 
"Golf is an essential component for many local charities and their fundraising efforts," added Trammell.  Charitable events hosted on Oregon's golf courses benefited local non-profit organizations with $28.5 million in charitable giving attributed to the game of golf. 
 
"Our industry, including golf course owners, club managers, and golf professionals, are happy to serve as access points for fundraising by local service organizations," said Trammell who also noted that golf is the only private-sector industry to provide free or significantly discounted fees to high school athletic programs.
 
Golfer supplies represented the largest golf industry segment (owing to Nike Golf's headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.) amounting to $464.6 million, followed by golf facility revenues totaling $361.7 million and golf-related hospitality and tourism at $221.8. 
 
Real Estate also is benefited by golf.  "In 2008, a tough economic year, golf-related residential construction contributed $62.2 million to the state economy, and a "golf premium" generated by sales of existing golf community homes was $11 million," noted Ryan.
 
Gregory T. Lyman, Environmental Programs Director for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America discussed golf's focus on stewardship of the environment.
 
"Golf courses provide diverse habitats for a range of wildlife, and Oregon golf courses take their environmental stewardship seriously," said Lyman. "Your state should be proud that it leads the country in the number of Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries."  There are presently 19 golf course certified sanctuaries and Tetherow in Bend, Ore. is Bronze-level signature sanctuary.

WATCH THE PRESENTATION:

 

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ABOUT THE GOLF ALLIANCE OF OREGON
Led by the Oregon Golf Association which represents the most avid golf consumers, the Golf Alliance of Oregon is comprised of the major industry associations for the region including the Oregon Golf Course Owners Association, Pacific Northwest PGA - Oregon Chapter, Oregon Golf Course Superintendents and the Club Managers of Oregon.

ABOUT GOLF 20/20 - www.golf2020.com
The mission of the World Golf Foundation is to develop and support initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values.  In support of that mission, World Golf Foundation focuses on a variety of initiatives to grow and celebrate the game of golf around the world including The First Tee, the World Golf Hall of Fame, and the Golf 20/20 Initiative.
 
GOLF 20/20 published its first national report in 2002, which demonstrated that golf in 2000 was a $62 billion industry, bigger than the motion picture and recording industries combined. A follow-up report in 2007 confirmed that golf had grown to become a $76 billion industry, with a total impact on the U.S. economy in 2005 of $195 billion.  Additionally, a recent report indicates that golf is responsible for contributing about $3.5 billion annually to charities across the country, more than any other sporting activity.
 
In 2006, along with research partner SRI International, GOLF 20/20 developed a template with which individual states can affordably quantify golf's impact on their economy; to date 20 states have used or are currently using this template, and the resulting reports have been successful in establishing golf as a critical cog in the state's economic engine.

ABOUT SRI - www.sri.com
Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for more than 55 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations.The Oregon Golf Association (OGA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit membership association. Founded in , Super Senior, Men's, Women's and Junior Stroke Play championshps.  Additionally the OGA conducts team competitions for Men and Women and the popular Parent/Child Chapman along with the OGA Tour for players of most any ability.

ABOUT DR. PETER RYAN
Dr. Ryan has extensive experience directing research projects and development initiatives in the golf industry. As director of the initial golf economy studies with SRI and the World Golf Foundation, he has engaged in numerous projects estimating the national and state economic impacts of golf. He has also led many projects focused on professional education for the PGA of America, and the World Golf Foundation including apprentice education, certification, executive education and player development programs.

 

Dr. Ryan has presented on golf research and development programs at a number of venues including the World Scientific Congress of Golf, Golf 20/20 Annual Conferences, USGA conferences, PGA Section conferences, and The First Tee Annual Meetings. In his work, he has collaborated with hundreds of golf industry professionals, as well as leaders from the PGA, the LPGA, the PGA Tour, the GCSAA, the USGA, and many golf industry manufacturers and employers. Beyond the golf industry, Dr. Ryan has more than 25 years experience in research design, data analysis, statistical modeling, large-scale education program development, and project management on initiatives of national scope for commercial, not-for-profit, and government clients. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University. 

ABOUT GREG LYMAN
Greg Lyman has gained international respect for his work in enhancing golf’s relationship with the environment. His career has taken him from the golf course to the classroom to his current position of leading a national effort to galvanize the golf industry’s sustainability efforts.
 
He has served as the Environmental Programs Director for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America since 2003, working with golf industry stakeholders, scientists and environmental groups as an advocate of positive environmental progress for the golf industry. He is a frequent speaker, panelist and source to media and legislative/regulatory bodies.   One of his chief projects has been a comprehensive national survey of golf courses to determine environmental stewardship; land use characteristics; pesticide and nutrient use; water conservation and energy use. This data has been used by individuals inside and outside of golf to define the nature of the industry.

His latest work has focused through the Environmental Institute for Golf and its collaboration on Golf’s Drive Toward Sustainability. The initiative is focused on providing golf facilities with a tool kit of resources to foster sustainable management

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