Golf Boosts Hoosier Economy

The report is being unveiled today at the Statehouse, although David says the industry isn’t asking for any specific benefits from Indiana lawmakers.

He says the PGA and other groups sought the studies after the sport was categorized with massage parlors, casinos and liquor stores for benefits in the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

April 11, 2011

News Release

Indianapolis – An age old question will be answered at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, April 12. Is it true Republicans slice their golf shots while Democrats tend to hook the ball?

As the Indiana Golf Alliance releases the results of the Economic Impact Study on the game of golf in the Hoosier State, top Indiana PGA Professionals will provide free lessons to legislators in the historic capitol rotunda. This is the first time golf will take center stage at the Statehouse but its presence has had a profound impact on the state for many years.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, with a formal presentation at 12:30 p.m. A hitting cage will be set-up for full swing lessons as well as a green for putting lessons. Lunch will be provided.

The Study, completed in 2010, showed impressive data. Golf provides $909 million in direct revenue to the Indiana economy. Compare that number to other industries in the state and it paints a clear picture of how important the golf industry is to the state’s economy. In Indiana, medical equipment manufacturing accounts for $5.8 billion to Indiana’s economy. Soybean production accounts for $2.4 billion to the economy and dairy products account for $640 million to Indiana’s economy. Additionally, the Indiana Study showed that over 21,000 jobs in Indiana are created through the golf industry and account for a total wage income of $530 million.

It’s well publicized that golf and charities work hand in hand. The Study found that in 2008, charitable giving by the Indiana Golf Industry topped the $42 million mark. Golf course owners, operators and PGA Professionals serve as access points for hundreds, if not thousands, of local service organizations for their annual fundraising needs.

The findings of the study came as no surprise to those closely associated with the golf industry.

“The Economic Impact Study validates that golf is an economic engine that contributes substantially to the momentum of the Indiana economy,” said Linda Rogers, owner of Juday Creek Golf Course in Granger, Ind. and Vice President of the National Golf Course Owners Association.

PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka concurred with Rogers’ statement. “The biggest benefit of these studies is the ability to show how golf benefits not only the 1 in 11 Americans who play, but entire communities which benefit from the jobs it creates, the green space it protects and the healthy recreation it provides for people of all ages,” said Steranka.

The need for these studies became evident in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast. Following Katrina, the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act was passed allocating tax benefits and relief for businesses that had been affected by Hurricane Katrina. The bill specified that tax benefits would not apply to golf courses or country clubs, lumping those facilities in with massage parlors, hot tub facilities, tanning salons, liquor stores and gambling establishments.

The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act highlighted the fact that the golf industry needed to coordinate efforts in order to prove how the golf industry benefits society. To date, 22 state golf economic impact studies have been conducted and the findings certainly support the fact that golf is a viable industry producing a major benefit to states’ economies.

“With the evidentiary support from the Economic Impact Study of the positive effect that golf has for Indiana through job creation, property tax generation, charitable giving, environmental stewardship and increased tourism, lawmakers will likely be more inclined to craft legislation that is favorable to the golf industry, “ said Rogers.

See the brief version of the study's findings here, and the entire report here.

The study, which was prepared by SRI in agreement with Golf 20/20, was commissioned by the Indiana Golf Association and the Indiana Section of the PGA. Other associations that participated in the study were the Indiana Golf Course Owner’s Association, the Indiana Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Indiana Club Managers Association and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.

About the Indiana Golf Office

The Indiana Golf Office houses the three governing bodies of amateur, women’s and professional golf in the Hoosier State as well as a charitable organization.

The Indiana Golf Office governs amateur golf in Indiana as recognized by the United States Golf Association. The Indiana Section of The PGA of America is the governing body of professional golfers as recognized by the Professional Golfer’s Association of America.

In 1972, these two associations joined forces with the common goal to promote golf in Indiana. The IGA-PGA gives Indiana golf the coordinated efforts of both the amateur and professional.

Additionally, in 1994 the IGA-PGA formed the Indiana Golf Foundation to not only provide more opportunities for young people to learn the game of golf but also to preserve the rich history of the game in Indiana. The Indiana Women's Golf Association (IWGA) joined forces with the IGA-PGA in 1995 to work at developing more women’s tournament opportunities and programs for women golfers.

Source: Indiana Golf Office