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AAG Industry Leadership

Pioneering Research

Arizona Alliance for Golf conducted one of the most comprehensive golf industry research studies to date, confirming the positive economic impact for Arizona, especially for state’s travel and tourism industry and its decade’s long relationship with the game. Through this research and a strong commitment to presenting the truth about the golf industry and the water needed to support it, the AAG is blazing the trail for a strong and vibrant golf industry for everyone in Arizona to enjoy for generations to come.

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AAG Leadership

Executive Committee
Gregg Tryhus, President
Katie Prendergast/Executive Director
Phil Green, Executive, Vice President
Ron McPherson, Vice President
Tim Schantz, Secretary/Treasurer
Marcie Mills
Joe Foley
Water Policy Committee
Rob Collins, Chairman
Contributions/Membership
Marcie Mills, Chairman

Golf Industry Leadership

Organizations serving on the AAG Board of Directors
Arizona Golf Association
Southwest Section PGA
Cactus & Pine Superintendent Association
The Thunderbirds
Club Managers Association
National Golf Course Owners Association, AZ
Junior Golf Association of Arizona
Ladies Professional Golf Association
The First Tee of Phoenix

Consultants
Jessica Pacheco & Katie Prendergast, Horizon Strategies
Mike Petty, Communication Links

Private Entities and Individuals

Troon: Scottsdale’s Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company.

Marriott: With 30 brands and 8,000 properties across 139 countries, Marriott gives people ways to connect.

Phil Green: 35-year golf industry leader and Hall of Fame inductee to both the Southwest Section and PGA of America.

Ron McPherson: Former President of Phoenix-based Antigua Group, a leading performance sportswear manufacturer.

George Getz: Director, President and Co-CEO of Globe Corporation, a privately owned diversified investment company.

Dan Grubb:  Longtime Valley of the Sun automotive industry leader and philanthropist

Doug York: President of Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply

Greg Hoyt: President of Arizona Industrial Properties

Daryl Crawford: Director of Golf, Papago Golf Course

Jeff Lessig: PGA of America Board of Directors

John Solheim:  Chairman and CEO of PING

Don Rea: Secretary of PGA of America

2,400,000

Overnight visitors PLAY GOLF during their visit

518,000,000

In tax revenue generated by the Golf Industry

66,200

Jobs supported throught the GOLF INDUSTRY

2,300,000,000

Wages earned within the GOLF INDUSTRY

Golf and Water Management

The golf industry has long been an innovating leader in sustainability, pioneering nationally recognized best practices for wise water management decades ago. Superintendents, general managers, course owners, industry partners, and others have worked tirelessly to become stewards of Arizona’s water supply. As a result, the golf industry modestly accounts for 2% of the state’s overall water consumption, while at the same time producing $6 billion in economic activity.

Local golf industry works collaboratively with local regulatory agencies, including the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), currently drafting the 5th Management Plan to determine water allocation limits, effective January 1, 2025. Bringing unity to the golf industry’s diverse voices, the Arizona Alliance for Golf strives to achieve a win-win outcome, allowing golf to continue to be economically viable, while also helping the ADWR meet its statutory conservation goal.

Water continues to be one of the most complicated – and political – policy issues in the state of Arizona. AAG’s efforts are intended to position the game of golf as a trusted leading voice on policy conversations in the years to come.

2

ALL GOLF OPERATIONS ACCOUNT FOR 2% OF ARIZONA WATER USE

18-40

GOLF PROPERTY SALES OUT PACE NON-GOLF HOMES BY 18-40%

3

GOLF TRAVELERS SPEND ON AVERAGE 3 TIMES MORE THAN OTHER TOURISTS

16.6

16.6M ROUNDS OF GOLF ARE PLAYED IN AZ EACH YEAR

STATEMENTS FROM ARIZONA GOLF TOURISM & REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY LEADERS

“Golf is core to the state’s tourism activity. The sport’s impact goes beyond just golf courses, it also impacts the broader tourism industry including resorts, hotels, restaurants and bars, and general retail activity.” — Debbie Johnson, Director Arizona Office of Tourism

“Our large groups may not always play golf, but they wouldn’t even book their group in a place like Desert Ridge if we didn’t have golf as an option for them.” — Steve Hart, General Manager (retired), JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort

“In 2020, a record $14M was raised from proceeds of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Over the life of the tournament, more than $161M has been distributed to local organizations and individuals in need through Thunderbirds Charities. Golf is not only part of the fabric of this community, golf works to strengthen the community.” — Chance Cozby, Executive Director, The Thunderbirds

“Arizona is one the most active and beautiful golf states in the country. The industry supports thousands of Arizona jobs. I see it as our sixth ‘C’ – copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, climate and courses.” — Dawn Grove, Corporate Counsel, Karsten Manufacturing

“Scottsdale and golf became synonymous more than a century ago when golfers played the area’s first oiled dirt course beneath Camelback Mountain. With major golf tournaments and more than 300 golf courses in the state, Arizona remains an unparalleled golf destination to this day. Many visitors come to Arizona solely for our pristine courses, and many more book tee times once they’re here. Golf has and always will be a foundational part Arizona’s tourism industry.” — Rachel Sacco, President & CEO, Experience Scottsdale

“Golf access is foundational to many master-planned communities. This access allows for additional high-quality development to occur, thus positively impacting property values and local tax collections.” — Ed Robson, Founder and Chairman, Robson Resort Communities

“Outdoor recreation is a huge draw for visitation in rural Arizona with the golf industry ranking at the top. The direct golf spending, when combined with the additional tourism dollars spent, strengthens many small businesses across rural Arizona.” — Julie Pastrick, President & CEO, Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce

“Golf is a leader in sustainability. Golf landscapes help reduce the carbon footprint of urban areas. More and more golf courses are using recycled water for irrigation, which has a number of environmental and economic benefits. Golf water management is not only sustainable, but also produces a significant ROI. Golf in Arizona is a leader in using water efficiently.” — Doug York, CEO, Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply

“Golf is an economic driver for Arizona; attracting tourism, generating valuable tax dollars and employing hundreds of thousands of residents directly or through supporting industries. In addition to the inherent recreation, social and health benefits the game provides to residents and visitors, golf provides a $4.6B economic impact to the state of Arizona. Troon fully supports further coordination and collaboration among industry professionals as this will help to enhance the benefits to our state.” — Tim Schantz, CEO, Troon