3rd Annual BC Legislature Golf Awareness Day
Members of the Allied Golf Association of BC invited members of the legislative assembly and their staff to the the 3rd annual Golf Awareness Day on April 28, 2015. AGA-BC directors and industry representatives were on hand to showcase three pillars of the golf industry in British Columbia: economic benefits, environmental stewardship and health and wellness; and from all accounts, the information was very well received by everyone in attendance.
Trevor Smith – AGA-BC President.
Photo: InsideGolf / Jeff Sutherland
“Our lobbying effort is paying dividends and we’re starting to see just how beneficial these relationships can be. Relaying messaging that our industry is a valuable part of the provincial economy, that we are good environmental stewards and that golf is a sport for life worth supporting, has been key to our success.” commented AGA-BC President, Trevor Smith
Throughout the day, the positive impact of the golf industry was shared with MLA’s and their staff. The Honorable Eric Foster (MLA for Vernon-Monashee) provided an introduction and presentation at the Legislature on the contribution of the golf industry to British Columbia early in the day. At the educational luncheon, representatives from the seven members associations including the National Golf Course Owners Association, Canadian Society of Club Managers, BC Golf Superintendents Association ,British Columbia Golf Association, the PGA of BC, Western Canadian Turfgrass Association, and the British Columbia Golf Marketing Alliance were all in attendance to showcase the variety of programs and initiatives underway within the golf industry.
Golf BC’s Andy Hedley spoke to the economic value of golf to the province delivering some very impressive numbers. “Golf is big business in BC, it employs more than 44,000 people and 43% of them are students,” said Hedley. “It contributes more than $2 billion to the BC economy and earns more than ski resorts, fitness centres, and spectator sports including the NHL. It also provides $465 million in taxes to the province.”
How Did We Score Ourselves
The Golf Industry Scorecard was presented to showcase successes (birdies) and opportunities (bogey) where the Province and industry can continue to work together.
Educational programs such as the Western Canadian Turfgrass Association’s – First Green (thefirstgreen.org) were on display and well received by those in attendance. The following video produced by Kwantlen College from an event at the Vancouver Golf Club in 2014 was shown and started a number of discussions about how programs like this could be integrated into schools..
Feedback and Social Media Buzz
Photo opportunities were plentiful and many in attendance shared images and fact points about the industry.
.@HelloBC recognizes BC golf as a key factor for why tourists choose BC! #northvan @seymourgolf pic.twitter.com/uTeO8ctrnr
— Jane Thornthwaite (@jthornthwaite) April 28, 2015
300 golf courses in BC – Locally owned/operated providing charitable and tax benefits to communities. @SuzanneAnton pic.twitter.com/0s2vyYfe5f
— Jane Thornthwaite (@jthornthwaite) April 28, 2015
With P Kelly, Dir #AlliedGolfAssociation Gr8 2 learn of $2bil econ imprtnc of #golf 2 #BC @GolfInBC @BCLiberalCaucus pic.twitter.com/NARPxhOr9Z
— John Yap (@John_Yap) April 28, 2015
#GOLF. Doing its part to help the economy and the environment in BC. @GolfInBC I'm doing my part to help the ball making portion.
— Mike Bernier (@Mike_A_Bernier) April 28, 2015
Eric Foster & Naomi Yamamoto
Photo: InsideGolf / Jeff Sutherland
The Golf Awareness Day reaffirms that the golf industry is a valuable part of the provincial economy, that we are good environmental stewards and that golf is a sport for life worth supporting.
