Click here to view Photo Gallery from the 2nd Annual “Golf Industry Day”
May 1st, 2013 – Golf associations and organizations from across the state gathered alongside Governor Malloy and several state lawmakers at the Capitol to celebrate the 2nd Annual “Golf Industry Day” in Connecticut.
The day started with a press conference at the Capitol in Hartford to discuss the positive economic, social and environmental impact of the golf industry in Connecticut. Connecticut State Golf Association Executive Director Michael Moraghan was joined by Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Representative Jeff Berger (House Chair of the Commerce Committee), Representative Joe Aresimowicz (Deputy Speaker), Representative Lawrence Cafero (House Minority Leader), Senator Steve Cassano (Chair of Planning & Development), and Senator Beth Bye (Chair of Higher Education & Employment Advancement).
Governor Dannel P. Malloy began the press conference by highlighting the positive economic impact of golf, citing the fact that the golf industry in Connecticut generates over $1.1 billion each year. He also stressed the importance of youth developmental programs, such as the First Tee of Connecticut, which teaches life skills and leadership through golf.
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| CSGA Executive Director Michael Moraghan |
CSGA Executive Director Michael Moraghan talked about the various services and organizations that the CSGA supports in the state. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and will conduct seventy-one days of competition in 2013. Additionally, it supports handicap services for over 44,000 golfers in Connecticut, and the revenue generated helps to support various charitable organizations in the state, such as the First Tee of Connecticut and the Widdy Neale Scholarship Fund.
Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube talked about the positive charitable impact that the tournament has each year. Last year, the Travelers Championship surpassed the $30 million mark in charitable donations to the community, and he expects that the 2013 tournament will generate over $1 million in contributions.
Also in attendance were David Polk, representing the First Tee of Connecticut, Tom Hantke, representing the Connecticut Section PGA, Suzy Whaley, representing the Girls Golf Fair of Connecticut, as well as representatives from the Connecticut Women’s Golf Association, Southern New England Women’s Golf Association, and the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents.
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| Pictured Above: Connecticut Boys and Girls Junior Teams |
Additionally, the state’s lawmakers formally recognized the 2012 Connecticut Junior Boys and Girls Teams, both of whom were victorious last year. The Connecticut Junior Boys Team of Brian Butler, Brian Carlson, Eric Dietrich, Evan Grenus, Pat Hallisey, Eddie Hill and Jason Hogan captured the 2012 New England Junior Championship by 29 strokes at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The Connecticut Junior Girls Team of Hope Matthews, Lisa Calcasola, Julia Kemmling, Gabrielle Martin, Emily Stickel and Ashley D’Attilio, emerged victorious at the Tri-State Junior Matches in North Kingstown, Rhode Island for the first time since 1983. Both teams had a photo opportunity with Governor Malloy before proceeding to the Hall of the House of Representatives to be recognized by their respective state representatives.
This year marks the second year that state lawmakers have recognized “Golf Industry Day” in Connecticut. In 2010, the CSGA, in partnership with the Connecticut Golf Alliance, commissioned a study by SRI International to identify the total economic impact of Golf in the state. The study shows the golf industry generated a total impact of $1.1 billion in 2008, supporting 11,570 jobs and generating $333.6 million in wages. The study was conducted using 2008 data, the same year that the recession started, and there is very little doubt that the golf industry in the state has grown since then. “No doubt the economy has affected every industry in the state, but I’d like to think we’re on a rebound. Clearly, economic recovery has been happening”, said Michael Moraghan, CSGA Executive Director.
