PGA of America officials (from left) Jim Remy, Allen Wronowski, Ted Bishop and Joe Sterenka participated in the meetings on Capitol Hill.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13, 2009 -- The leaders of 11 of the U.S. golf industry's most prominent Allied Associations met with members of Congress and their staffs Wednesday to highlight and discuss golf's very significant economic and social contributions.

In a series of meetings on Capitol Hill, golf's leaders are carrying the message of the industry's enormous economic impact. A study released last year at the inaugural National Golf Day, the 2005 Golf Economy Report, quantified golf's annual direct economic impact as $76 billion, and highlighted the fact that the industry provides 2 million jobs and $61 billion in wage income. The study also found that golf generates more than $3.5 billion annually for charities across the country.

"This is a very important day for the U.S. golf industry," said Steve Mona, World Golf Foundation CEO. "Golf is a great pastime for millions of participants and fans, but it is much more than that. As a leading industry, golf is a powerful economic engine in our country and we're delighted to be able to meet today with members of Congress and their staffs to communicate golf's very positive impact on our society."

The organizations represented at today's National Golf Day activities include American Society of Golf Course Architects, Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, LPGA, National Club Association, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, USGA and World Golf Foundation.

In addition to the scheduled meetings with members of Congress, industry leaders participated in the seventh The First Tee Congressional Breakfast. More than 50 members of Congress joined golf's leaders to learn more about the positive impact this preeminent youth development organization is having on young people throughout the country.

Also in attendance were Fred Couples and Greg Norman, captains of The Presidents Cup's U.S. and International Teams, respectively, and World Golf Hall of Fame member Judy Rankin.

Throughout the day, the golf industry leaders highlighted that the game's impact on society could best be viewed through three perspectives: economic, human and environmental. Summaries of the results of the 2005 Golf Economy Report in these three areas are available at golf2020.com.