May is once again Oregon Golf Month as announced in a State of Oregon Proclamation made recently by Governor Kate Brown. This marks the third consecutive year May will be Oregon Golf Month, a proclamation which highlights the important and crucial benefits of the golf industry to the State of Oregon.
An Oregon Golf Economic Impact Study commissioned by the Oregon Golf Alliance & GOLF 20/20 prepared by SRI International details the role the golf industry has in the region. Amongst the study’s key findings are:
- A total economic impact of $2.0 billion annually in Oregon
- The golf industry in Oregon supports more than 21,000 jobs with $576.4 million of wage income
- Contributions of $31.8 million annually to Oregon charities
- Economic impact comparable in size to other important industries in the state, such as paper manufacturing, greenhouses/nurseries and software publishing
- More than 259,000 Oregonians include golf as a part of their healthy lifestyle
“With the results of this study, we hope to educate the masses that golf is much more than a game. Not only does it contribute significantly to Oregon’s economy and provide thousands of jobs, but it also affords social, recreational and health benefits to all those who play it,” said OGA CEO Barb Trammell. “In addition, golf’s acres of green spaces have a positive impact on our environment and serve as a habitat for local wildlife.”
The Oregon Golf Economy Impact Study was commissioned by the Golf Alliance of Oregon and GOLF 20/20. Partnering associations of the Golf Alliance of Oregon are the Oregon Golf Association; Oregon Golf Course Owners Association; Oregon Golf Course Superintendents; Pacific Northwest PGA – Oregon Chapter and Club Managers of Oregon.