Participants at the 2024 National Golf Day. Photo by Scott Ramsay
Editor's note: National Golf Day is April 30-May 2, 2025. GCM is covering GCSAA's involvement in the event with stories all week long. To keep up with our complete coverage, click here.
The 17th annual National Golf Day — April 30 to May 2, 2025 — celebrates the game's $101.7 billion economy, nearly $6 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits. The American Golf Industry Coalition, a group of the game’s leading associations and industry partners including GCSAA, hosts the annual event in Washington, D.C. Here’s what to know about National Golf Day’s aspects, goals and impact ahead of this year’s event,
What are the goals of National Golf Day?
AGIC promotes the collective interests of the sport by advocating for legislative and regulatory issues with one voice. The coalition unites the golf industry in pursuit of goals designed to enhance the vitality and diversity of the recreational and business entities of the sport. AGIC serves as a banner under which collaborative issues can be addressed when it’s clear that one collective voice is most effective. Besides promoting the value of golf facilities in communities across the U.S., and addressing specific pieces of legislation, the AGIC delegation will also seek to secure additional members into the newly resurrected Congressional Golf Caucus.
Who is part of the American Golf Industry Coalition (AGIC), and who attends National Golf Day?
GCSAA is one of the four founding members of the AGIC, along with the USGA, PGA, and National Golf Course Owners Association. Leaders and hundreds of members of these organization and others attend the National Golf Day events. There are over 325 individuals participating in the 2025 National Golf Day event. Other types of organizations that participate include Folds of Honor Golf; Golf. My Future. My Game.; Audubon International; Youth on Course; The First Tee; and many, more.
GCSAA advocates ahead of a meeting at the 2024 National Golf Day. Photos by Chava McKeel
What happens on National Golf Day's Lobby Day?
On May 1, GCSAA and other golf allied organizations will spend the day meeting with members of Congress, the executive branch and federal agencies to discuss golf's 15,000 diverse businesses, 2 million jobs, tax revenue creation and tourism value. 250 attendees will meet with House and Senate members or their staff to discuss the key issues impacting golf and to share their personal experiences with lawmakers from their states. These personal interactions help lawmakers see the positive impact golf has on their constituents.
What key issues are up for discussion in 2025?
Individuals from the golf industry will discuss the following priority issues with elected officials on Capitol Hill:
- Supporting passage of H.R. 1583 — Parity for Athletic Recreation Act — “PAR ACT,” sponsored by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
- Supporting passage of H.R. 2369, S.1144 — The PHIT Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow Americans to use flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) to pay for sports and fitness equipment, exercise videos, participation fees associated with youth sports leagues, health club memberships, greens fees and lessons and clinics.
- Asking Congress to pass the 2025 Farm Bill and to continue to recognize the positive contribution of turfgrass to our environment and economy by reauthorizing the National Turfgrass Research Initiative as a priority and to continue to prioritize turfgrass research at the USDA.
National Golf Day attendees planting and helping out on the course at Langston Golf Course & Driving Range in Washington, D.C.
What community service projects are National Golf Day attendees involved in this year?
National Golf Day week also includes the Community Service Project, which gives more than 225 attendees the opportunity to give back while demonstrating their professional skills. Past Community Service Projects have involved restoration and beautification projects along the National Mall, and this year will expand to include work at Old Soldiers Golf Course and East Potomac Golf Course.
More than 60 volunteers at East Potomac Golf Course will work with The Toro Company and the Eastern Shore GCSA and the National Links Trust to aerify the red course and repair cart paths. At the Old Soldiers Golf Course (part of the Armed Forces Retirement Home), over 140 volunteers will work with Casey Trees, Inc.; John Deere and the Mid-Atlantic Association of GCS on 13 projects that include: planting 24 trees; repairing deer guard around 200 trees; redoing three landscaping beds and seeding and topdressing nine greens; and the entire golf course will be mowed.