Arizona Golf Group Launches
In a joint partnership between the Arizona Alliance for Golf (AAG) and Southwest PGA, state lawmakers and councilmembers from around the state recently gathered to announce the formation of the Arizona Golf Group – a bipartisan coalition of elected leaders united in their efforts to protect and promote the Arizona golf industry.
Senator T.J. Shope
The group is chaired by longtime rural legislator Senator T.J. Shope, an avid golfer who is also the chairman of the state senate’s water committee and the president pro tempore of the senate.
Senator Shope cited golf’s $6 billion annual economic contribution to Arizona in a room filled with golf, tourism, water, and business leaders and noted that others could “learn from the golf industry on how to preserve a great natural resource and use it in the proper way.” A proponent of a strong golf and tourism economy, he said he’s reminded how important golf is to the state’s tourism economy every time he “watches all the golf clubs come off the baggage claim at Sky Harbor.”
Arizona golf course owner and current PGA of America President Don Rea also addressed the group to reinforce the golf industry’s positive influence on local communities.
“It’s all about family,” Rea said. “We believe that golf is family fun, it’s fitness and it’s forever. It crosses generations and it’s generous. We give more back to charity than all other sports combined.”
The Arizona Golf Group seeks to energize and amplify the golf industry’s place in local communities by educating stakeholders about the powerful benefits it provides from a societal, economic, and environmental perspective.
The AAG and Southwest PGA look forward to growing this new initiative. Among other goals, the Arizona Golf Group will continue to convene elected officials, staff, and other policy leaders to boost awareness and motivate stakeholders as they seek to strengthen golf’s place in Arizona.
AAG Meets with Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman
Recently the AAG Water Committee sat down with Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Tom Galvin, who shared his perspective on tourism promotion, economic development, and the value of a vibrant golf industry in his East Valley district and beyond. In his leadership role at Maricopa County, Galvin noted the industry’s water stewardship and expressed support for the multitude of ways the golf industry positively impacts the region and state.
“Fostering collaborative relationships with all levels of government remains an ongoing priority for the AAG,” said Katie Prendergast, AAG executive director. “As we engage with policymakers across the political spectrum, we deeply appreciate Chairman Galvin’s efforts to help grow awareness of the industry’s benefits throughout Maricopa County and look forward to continuing to work with him and his office.”
