The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA) Grassroots Ambassador Program celebrated its 10th anniversary this month. Since its inception in 2014, the program has paired GCSAA members with members of Congress to build strong working relationships. The program has successfully established a network of committed volunteers to serve as “go-to” advocates for lawmakers and their staffs on golf course management issues.
Photo: GCSAA
The program was created to promote, protect and defend the golf course management industry by providing an avenue for golf course management professionals to share their stories with members of Congress. Ambassadors have forged valuable relationships with lawmakers, which has led to opportunities for lawmakers to visit golf courses across the country to see firsthand how GCSAA members are serving as environmental stewards.
Many of the facility tours have focused on how superintendents implement environmental best management practices (BMPs) in their course maintenance. Welcoming lawmakers to their golf courses also allows GCSAA members to showcase the environmental, economic and recreation benefits that golf courses provide to their communities.
Thanks to Grassroots Ambassadors hosting site visits, meeting with members of Congress at their local offices and lobbying efforts like National Golf Day, more members of Congress are supporting GCSAA’s stance on the key issues impacting golf.
“Advocacy is a top priority for GCSAA, and Grassroots Ambassadors are a driving force behind much of our advocacy work. Ambassadors are a key link between our industry and policymakers at the federal, state and local level,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “Their voices are crucial for the promotion, protection and defense of the golf industry, so we encourage all GCSAA members with an interest in advocacy to join this important program.”
Grassroots Ambassadors also discuss GCSAA’s Priority Issues Agenda with lawmakers. Those conversations enable ambassadors to advocate for policies that benefit the future of the profession and industry. From labor issues to water use and conservation, GCSAA Grassroots Ambassadors are committed to educating Congress on GCSAA’s behalf to promote the values of turfgrass and professionally managed landscapes.
With more than 530 participants, the Grassroots Ambassador program spans 413 congressional districts across the country, representing 78 percent of districts.
“Advocacy is important because there are a lot of people out there with loud voices who have a lot of negative things to say about golf.,” said Steven Murphy, superintendent at the Ole Miss Golf Club in Oxford, Miss., and a GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador. “Those opinions are unfortunately often what are perceived as truth about golf by the public. There are so many positives of the game that are overlooked, and the truly rewarding thing about advocacy is getting to hear feedback from your time spent talking to policymakers.”
GCSAA members interested in becoming a Grassroots Ambassador should contact Michael Lee, GCSAA senior manager, government affairs, at 800-472-7878, ext. 3612, for more information.
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