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. Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | WWW.MiGCSA.ORG
Legislators made aware of golf’s impact at Michigan Golf Day at the Capitol
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tate Rep. Jason Sheppard‘s family is in the golf business in Monroe County, which made him a first-hand knowledge speaker for Michigan Golf Industry Legislative Day on the Capitol lawn Thursday. “It’s a great sport, and getting more people involved in playing it is important, and it is also a big part of our economy in the State of Michigan as you all know,” he said. Sheppard, who presented a proclamation from Gov. Rick Snyder declaring June “Pure Michigan Golf Month,” gave advice to members of the Michigan Golf Alliance who set forth from a tent on the Capitol lawn to visit the office of every state legislator and provide a packet of information. “Let them know that, look, this is a big thriving part of our market in the State of Michigan,” he said. “We are part of job growth and recreation in the state. That’s the direction I would go.” The Alliance is made up of the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Michigan Section PGA, the Golf Association of Michigan, the Greater Michigan Club Managers Association, the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program and the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. In addition to a visit to each legislator in their Senate and House offices, legislators and staff members were also treated to a “lunch at the turn” on the Capitol lawn provided by Eagle Eye Golf Course in Bath. Golf Professionals from the Michigan Section PGA offered swing and putting tips in special displays set up on the lawn, and sponsors Jacobsen Manufacturing and U.S. Golf Cars Inc. displayed and provided information on their products.
On the visits to offices Alliance members shared that golf in Michigan has a total economic impact of $4.2 billion in Michigan and generates 58,000 jobs among other relevant facts. Kate Moore, executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, was thrilled by the response of legislators and the large crowd that joined the alliance members for lunch. “It’s a great response and a wonderful opportunity for our industry leaders to share their message,” she said. “Rep. Shepherd made a great speech to kick things off and the proclamation shows that our Governor is aware of golf’s impact in the state.”
The leaders of the Michigan Golf Alliance including MiGCSA President Justin Bickel with the proclamation of June as Golf Month in Michigan