Advocacy remains a cornerstone of the Arizona Alliance for Golf’s (AAG) mission, and in 2026 our momentum and progress are tangible. That work is increasingly urgent: growing pressure on Arizona’s water resources and sophisticated critiques that portray golf as a disproportionate water user underscore the need for continued, coordinated advocacy. Now more than ever, the golf industry must speak with one voice. We need every sector and every golf enthusiast at the table to defend and protect access to the water that sustains our industry.
Below is a snapshot of AAG’s 2026 advocacy efforts to date — demonstrating how we are actively shaping the future of water stewardship in golf through stronger partnerships, targeted education, and building a more influential, unified voice. We invite you to join us — your voice and participation is vital.
ARIZONA GOLF HOUSE COLLABORATION BEARING FRUIT
Through focused, collective action we’ve built a unified voice, culminating in the opening of the Arizona Golf House last fall. This new outreach facility serves as a dynamic hub of collaborative activity for the nonprofits delivering services throughout the state and as a physical symbol of our industry’s unity and impact. As we continue to advocate for water access and other critical issues, this visible representation of golf’s societal, community, and wellness contributions will be essential in reshaping how the game is perceived and positioned in Arizona. After only a few months under one roof, the golf nonprofits at the Arizona Golf House are finding efficient and effective ways of working together.
Located at Papago Golf Club, the Arizona Golf House brings together leading golf nonprofits to create pathways for personal and professional growth.
ARIZONA GOLF INDUSTRY DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL
Arizona’s golf community set up shady tents to help attendees learn more about how golf is good for everyone.
Bringing together allied associations, nonprofits, and private-sector leaders in a powerful display of engagement, the local golf community recently hosted Arizona Golf Industry Day at the State Capitol for the first time in more than 20 years. The event drew more than 250 attendees, including policymakers, legislative staff, Governor’s Office representatives, and leaders from business, tourism, and the golf industry — demonstrating the scale, relevance, and reach of our collective voice.
Participants hit pitch shots at Arizona Golf Day at the Capitol.
Events like this underscore a critical reality — golf is not a niche interest; it is a diverse, statewide economic and community driver that serves Arizonans from all walks of life.
That diversity is our strength, but only if it is visible and activated. At a time when consequential decisions about water, land use, and other topics are being made, it is essential that our industry continues to show up, speak up, and advocate with clarity and consistency. Our impact depends on it.
WATER EDUCATION EVENT WITH SENATOR T.J. SHOPE
The golf industry had a valuable opportunity to engage directly with State Senator T.J. Shope — a leading voice on water policy and the Senate President Pro Tempore. As chair of the Arizona Golf Caucus, launched in 2025 in partnership with the Southwest PGA, Senator Shope joined AAG members at an event to deliver timely insights on the Colorado River, groundwater, and the path forward to address Arizona’s water challenges. See video.
AZ Senator T.J. Shope and AAG Executive Director Katie Prendergast discuss the latest developments from the Capitol.
That conversation comes at a pivotal moment. As Upper and Lower Basin states remain at an impasse, the likelihood of federal intervention is growing — and the proposals under discussion present serious challenges for Arizona. Compounding that risk, golf is frequently cited by Upper Basin stakeholders as a visible and convenient example of water use — often without full context — putting our industry squarely in the conversation whether we engage or not.
As a junior water rights holder, Arizona has already absorbed significant cuts while delivering meaningful conservation results. But that progress alone is not enough if our story isn’t told. This is why a more unified, informed, and engaged golf industry is essential. We must continue to educate our own stakeholders, show up in policy discussions, and actively engage decision-makers to ensure golf is understood not as a liability, but as a responsible, solutions-oriented partner in Arizona’s water future.
ARIZONA OFFICE OF TOURISM DIRECTOR CONFIRMED
Alix Skelpsa Ridgway confirmed as AOT Director.
Alix Skelpsa Ridgway was recently confirmed as the Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. She has been a consistent champion of a strong golf and tourism ecosystem and has worked in close partnership with the Arizona golf industry over the past six years during her time with the agency. The AAG was proud to support her nomination and looks forward to continuing to work alongside her and our tourism partners to strengthen the industry’s economic impact and long-term sustainability.
WATER UPDATE
Arizona is in the midst of a once-in-a-generation recalibration of water use, alongside the six other states that depend on the Colorado River. From groundwater reform to Colorado River allocations to urban rezoning and parkland protection, decisions made today will have lasting impacts in Arizona at all levels of government.
Local leaders are under increasing pressure from resident activists, and over the past year we’ve seen agitators in Phoenix and Tucson who have introduced problematic citizen’s petitions and engaged in ordinance discussions with the goal of limiting water for golf courses and other users. These efforts risk driving policy that’s reactive rather than responsible, and that could have a very material impact on community assets like golf.
Further compounding these challenges are tightening constraints on water access, growing uncertainty from municipal providers, and significant cost increases across jurisdictions statewide. These pressures are already reshaping how courses operate and plan for the future.
CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT: PROTECTING ARIZONA’S LIFELINE
In the face of ongoing uncertainty around operating guidelines for the Colorado River when current agreements expire at the end of this year, the Central Arizona Project (CAP) has been actively supporting Arizona’s position in the Colorado River Basin negotiations.
As the graphic points out, the vast majority of economic activity, population, jobs and crop sales are generated by the Lower Basin States like Arizona. This strongly makes the case that maintaining the supply of water in support of these factors is vitally important.
Formed last year, Protecting Arizona’s Lifeline provides water facts that underscore both the deep cuts the state has shouldered as the junior user on the system, as well as the huge population centers and economies that exist in the state and rely on a fair share of the water.
To help further understanding, this deeply complex issue, videos, fact sheets, and other resources can be found here.
AAG MEMBER CARRIES THE MANTLE
A great example of how each golf industry stakeholder can personally make an impact, AAG member Jeff Lessig recently penned two news articles — one in PGA Magazine and another in Fountain Hills Times Independent. The longtime member of the Southwest PGA provided his peers with a blueprint for replicating AAG-style golf advocacy efforts in their own sections, and he informed his neighbors about golf’s decades-long record of sustainability in the Town of Fountain Hills.
Advocacy can take many forms ranging from submitting opinion pieces to setting the record straight during casual conversations with friends and neighbors. Either way, it’s up to us to speak up for golf in Arizona.
GOLF COURSE SUPPORT
Over the past six years, the Arizona Alliance for Golf has stepped in to support individual courses facing complex, high-stakes challenges that directly impact their operations and long-term viability. From Oro Valley and Phoenix to Scottsdale and Tucson, we work alongside facilities to advocate for their roles, protect their interests, and reinforce their value within Arizona’s golf and water landscape.
When issues arise, having our unified industry voice behind you matters. If your facility is navigating a challenge, we are here to engage, advocate, and help ensure your perspective is heard.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE ABOVE, THE PATH FORWARD REQUIRES UNITY, CLARITY, AND ACTION.
Please reach out with any questions — or better yet — get involved. Together, we can ensure a resilient, vibrant future for golf in Arizona. Learn how you can protect the game, its many benefits, and the values it teaches or contact Katie Prendergast, AAG Executive Director
