May 12, 2009 -- On May 13, 2009, The PGA of America will join the allied golf associations in celebrating the second annual National Golf Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The purpose of National Golf Day is to educate Congress, the media, and opinion leaders on the economic, human, and environmental benefits of golf. National Golf Day also demonstrates how the allied golf associations join as a coalition to speak with one voice about issues important to the game of golf.

PGA President Jim Remy, Vice President Allen Wronowski, Secretary Ted Bishop and CEO Joe Steranka will lead The PGA of America contingent. Participants from the allied golf associations included Club Managers Association CEO Jim Singerling, The First Tee CEO Joe Barrow, LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, National Golf Course Owners Association CEO Mike Hughes, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, U.S. Golf Association Executive Director David Fay, and World Golf Foundation CEO Steve Mona.

"The golf industry is enormously proud that we are a healthy, stable business enterprise that serves to strengthen the vitality of our country while also providing recreational enjoyment to millions of Americans," says Remy. "We very much look forward to visiting Capitol Hill again and encouraging our elected leaders to treat golf equitably when enacting legislation. By and large, golf courses are small businesses that embody the entrepreneurial spirit endorsed by the current administration."

Throughout the day Remy, Wronowski, Bishop, Steranka, and PGA Government Relations Committee members Jim Dorman and Junior Bridgeman (a PGA Board member) will visit with members of Congress and staff to educate them about The PGA of America and the benefits of golf. This will be an opportunity for PGA leaders to meet with various policymakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, Minority Whip Eric Cantor, Congressman Peter Welch, Congressman Ron Kind, senior staff from the Senate Majority Leaders' office, and many others, about issues that effect golf and the industry's employees.

The discussion items will include the following:

• The golf industry is responsible for 2 million jobs in the U.S. and generates $61 billion in wage income annually.

• The golf industry raises approximately $3.5 billion annually for charitable causes each year.

• The nearly 16,000 of U.S. golf facilities provide communities with valuable green space. The widespread benefits of golf course landscapes are delivered with the minimal use of water, with golf courses accounting for only one-half of one percent of U.S. annual water consumption.