Toronto, ON — Today, Ontario’s leading golf industry associations will meet at Queen’s Park on May 1st to celebrate the second annual National Golf Day.
National Golf Day aims to raise awareness and highlight the positive impact the game of golf has across the country and in the province of Ontario. Golf has a significant impact on the economy, in areas such as employment levels, tax dollars earned, and from a tourism standpoint. In addition, golf is a lifelong sport that is a strong driver for healthy, active living for participants across the province.
Golf industry representatives will be at Queen’s Park today in Toronto, as well as Parliament Hill in Ottawa, to meet with MPs, MPPs, Senators and policy advisors to spread the word on the many benefits of Canada’s golf sector and the positive impact it has on so many.
“Golf is the number one participation sport in Ontario – we encourage people across the province to get involved and support National Golf Day in their own way – whether it be playing a round of golf, visiting a course to enjoy family time, taking a lesson, or adopting a school in their community through Golf in Schools,” said Shawn Hunter, Regional Director at the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.
In Ontario alone, based on a 2014 We Are Golf commissioned economic impact study, the game of golf contributed an estimated $5.40 billion toward the Gross Domestic Product, including 110,000 jobs and $716 million in federal and provincial income taxes.
“We are really looking forward to today at Queen’s Park, supporting the activities in Ottawa, and celebrating National Golf Day at a provincial level in Ontario”, said Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario. “We are confident that government officials from all parties will be pleased to learn about all of the ways golf positively contributes to our province, and our messaging will focus on the game’s economic impact, charitable funding, business benefits, and health benefits for hundreds of thousands of Canadians”, continued Kelly.
“As a group of superintendents tasked with maintaining the many amazing golf courses across Ontario, we know first-hand the benefits that golf courses have on our communities. Each day we embark on a mission of sustainability, conservation, protection, and perfection that helps bring so many benefits,” added Jason Boyce, President of the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association.
Click here for a link to a video highlighting the great work done by golf course superintendents across Ontario. https://youtu.be/LNWTLMpr79g
Simon Bevan, the President of the PGA of Ontario, as well as the President of the Southwest Ontario branch of the Canadian Society of Club Managers also stands in support of this important celebration of golf. “We are thrilled to be part of National Golf day and believe it is important that the golf industry stands together to illustrate the importance of golf in our province. It is critical that our local and provincial leaders acknowledge the impact that our business provides to not only the economy but also the natural green spaces that we look after. I look forward to speaking further with our esteemed MPP’s and answer any questions they have on our past and future challenges,” said Bevan.
The Queen’s Park schedule for May 1 will include a breakfast and meetings throughout the day for delegates and MPP’s alike. This day represents a great chance for all involved to celebrate the positive impact golf has in communities across Ontario.
We Are Golf is a public awareness raising initiative sponsored by the National Allied Golf Associations. The Ontario chapter includes
the following members: Professional Golfers’ Association of Ontario, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association, Golf Ontario,
Canadian Society of Club Managers – Ontario Branches and the National Golf Course Owners Association – Ontario Chapters.
For more information on We Are Golf, visit http://www.wearegolf.ca
For more information, please contact:
Madison Simmons
Telephone: 613-233-8906
Email: madison@impactcanada.com
