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SCGA to help mobilize golfers to oppose Governor's proposed tax on golf fees
Story
Nov 12, 2008
The Southern California Golf Association and allied golf associations around the state of California will join forces in a concerted effort to oppose Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed tax on golf fees as part of his proposal to deal with the state's budget crisis.
The California Alliance for Golf, working with their lobbying and public relations consultants in Sacramento, is preparing a plan to combat this effort. As legislators return from holiday today, CAG will begin conversations with as many key individuals as possible to oppose this proposal.
In addition, the SCGA and allied associations will use email and other avenues to encourage their members over the next few days to participate in a NO TAX on GOLF campaign.
"While we all recognize the precarious nature of the state's financial condition," says SCGA President Kent Keller, "we believe that to single out golf as one of a very few proposed services that would be taxed is both short-sighted and nonproductive for the state's economic health overall.
Moreover, such a tax would almost surely do irreparable harm to the golf industry. "The people who would be most affected would be lower-income and middle-income people, many of whom stand to lose their jobs if golf courses close or cut back significantly due to this proposed tax," says Keller.
According to the independent research firm SRI International, golfers, golf courses, equipment suppliers, and the activities they support, pumped $6.9 billion into the state's economy in 2006. Golf course facility operations were the largest revenue component of California's golf industry at $2.85 billion, which includes greens fees, range fees, membership fees, golf cart rentals and food and beverages. When indirect impacts are included -- such as the goods and services purchased by golf courses and by golf employees -- the total direct and indirect economic impact of the golf industry in California is estimated at $15.1 billion.
Golf and golfers in California also play a significant role for charities, annually raising tens of millions of dollars for thousands of charitable organizations. Golf also supports organizations that provide important life skills and other educational programs for youth through The First Tee, the SCGA Foundation's Youth on Course and many other efforts. "We need to do everything we can not to put impediments on people and clubs that contribute significantly to these efforts," says Keller.
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