Today is National Golf Day! Who knew! Well, it is National Golf Day in the US. It is all about how the golf industry affects the US economy and it is not a far stretch to see how the golf industry effects all economies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz4r1QRxxn4&list=UU6_I-7Nbq-Gq0M4_SCgrcbg

Supported by Jack Nicklaus, how could National Golf Day not be a success!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz4r1QRxxn4

Interestingly, We Are Golf spearheads the initiative and today is the seventh year in a row that the golf industry lobbied the US Congress. What a great idea! In case you wonder what kind of impact the US golf industry has……

Yes, that is BILLION! National Golf Day is also about charities. We Are Golf tells us that “Golf is a key driver of charitable giving in the U.S – $3.9 billion a year to be exact. Philanthropic contributions, including those from professional tournaments, are a huge part of the industry, with the majority of funds going to causes outside of the sport. Beneficiaries include health, youth, education, environmental and cultural groups nationally, regionally and locally.

According to a 2011 study conducted by the National Golf Foundation, golf as a fundraising vehicle includes an estimated:

• 12,000 golf facilities (75 percent of U.S. total)
• 143,000 events
• 12 million participants
• $26,300 average per function”

I for one did not realize it was National Golf Day! For all my friends in the US, I hope you hit the links today!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!