In a press conference at the National Press Club to commemorate the first National Golf Day, the golf leaders also discussed the industry’s environmental stewardship and its multi-billion dollar annual contributions to charitable activities.

“We are here as a very strong industry coalition to present data that demonstrates golf’s extremely positive contributions to the economic health of our nation,” said David B. Fay, Chairman, World Golf Foundation, and Executive Director of the USGA. “In addition, we want to highlight golf’s environmental stewardship and the game’s very positive charitable and human impact on our society. Our message is built around the fact that golf is a vital contributor to our nation’s health on a number of significant levels.”

Joining Mr. Fay at the press conference were Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR; Joe Steranka, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America; Steve Mona, Chief Executive Officer of World Golf Foundation; Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee; and Libba Galloway, Deputy Commissioner of the LPGA. Representatives of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America and American Society of Golf Course Architects were also in Washington in recognition of National Golf Day. Each organization is a supporting member of World Golf Foundation.

According to U.S. Census data, the $76 billion U.S. golf economy is larger than the motion picture and video industries and that golf facility operations generated $28 billion in revenue, exceeding revenues from all other professional and semi-professional spectator sports combined. The study, which was completed earlier this year, also found that golf generates more than $3.5 billion annually for charities across the country.

A bipartisan Congressional resolution sponsored by U.S. Representatives Ron Klein (D-FL) and John Mica (R-FL) declared April 16, 2008 as National Golf Day.