With nearly 900 golf courses throughout the state, golf leaves a large footprint across California. Members of the California Alliance for Golf want to ensure it has an equally loud voice.
Representatives of the California Alliance for Golf met April 27 with lawmakers in Sacramento to reach out to legislators to help them understand the efforts golf course superintendents make toward sustainability as well as other needs of the golf industry as a whole."California Legislative Day is a tremendous opportunity for the collective bodies of golf to continue the dialogue with legislators regarding the sport and the business," said Bruce Williams, CCGC, of the California Alliance for Golf.
The California Alliance for Golf represents all of the allied groups of golf throughout the state and works as an advocate of the game and those working in it.
The series of meetings also presented an opportunity for golf industry professionals from throughout California to learn about the state's long-term plans toward water conservation and conveyance. Other meetings focused on the game's economic impact in California, what golf courses are doing to conserve water, updates on recycled water and golf courses as habitat for native plants and wildlife.
This was the second year members of the golf industry descended on Sacramento to voice their opinions and concerns and listen to what lawmakers had to say. And much has changed since last year, said CAG secretary Jim Ferrin of Timber Creek and Sierra Pines golf courses in Roseville.
"Last year, nobody (in the legislature) knew anything about golf," Ferrin said. "Now, we go this year, and a lot more people know what we are talking about, and we are armed with better marketing material."
CAG, which represents the interests of superintendents, golf professionals, club managers and owners, also recently hired lobbyist Tony Rice of the firm Englander, Knabe and Allen, to represent the industry's point of view.
That added voice is critical since Gov. Jerry Brown ordered statewide cutbacks last April.
"We were identified as someone who uses a lot of water," Ferrin said. "We only use 1 percent of the water. When we tell people that, they remember us.
"We tell them that it's not true when they hear how bad golf really is. We tell them to call us and we'll be happy to tell them that golf isn't what they always see on TV."
Members of the golf industry plan another trip to Sacramento this summer, and Ferrin says it likely will be a regular trip for many years to come.
"I do think we have to go forever," he said. "We want to be involved politically and toot our horn. And we want a seat at the table and a voice in how money is being used."