Washington DC, United States: WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – has announced that the 13th annual National Golf Day will be held on Wednesday, May 6 on Capitol Hill.

Planning is also underway for the fourth annual Community Service Project on the National Mall for Tuesday, May 5. The enhancements between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument are organised by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Earlier this year, industry leaders executed almost 20 beautification and preservation projects at these locations. With helpful guidance from park rangers, the work put forth during the Community Service Project saved the US National Park Service nearly four months of labour costs.

Under the banner of WE ARE GOLF, National Golf Day 2019 produced a record-high 244 meetings with members of Congress representing 41 States to discuss the game’s US$84.1 billion economy, nearly US$4 billion annual charitable impact, 15,000 diverse businesses and two million jobs impacted across the United States. In addition, the events on Capitol Hill garnered over 766 million publicity impressions across 90 media outlets.

“Following the overwhelming success of this year’s event, we expect 2020 to be an even bigger platform to advance golf’s positive messages,” said Greg McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of the World Golf Foundation which administers WE ARE GOLF. “By ensuring laws and regulations that affect the golf industry are just, the 1.89 million American jobs tied to the sport are better positioned for success.”

Throughout National Golf Day, data-driven metrics and trends support the health of the sport – from participation numbers and off-course interest to ways in which golf continues to grow and evolve.

“National Golf Day is an opportunity to share our message with the highest elected US officials,” said Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association and Chair of the WE ARE GOLF Board. “Lawmakers are able to hear first-hand how golf benefits their respective districts, cities and States.”

Thousands of golf courses and industry businesses annually recognise National Golf Day in their local communities through activities and special offers. This year, Topgolf provided complimentary group golf instruction lessons from PGA-certified golf professionals at 50 locations across the US.

It also marked the first-time golf organisations from the US and Canada worked to schedule simultaneous legislative visits in Ottawa and Washington, DC.