2013 California Golf Economy: Economic & Environmental Impact Report details the $13 billion annual economic impact golf has the state of California. The 52-page report was commissioned by Golf 20/20 for the California Alliance for Golf and prepared by SRI International.
According to the report, golf industry’s financial impact upon the state includes $13.1 billion of overall economic activity that supports more than 128,000 jobs and $4.1 billion of wage income. It documents the industry’s substantial charitable impact – roughly $346.6 million in 2011 alone.
The report also documents the game’s environmental record Golf encumbers less than 3.6% of the total turfgrass acreage in the state, uses less than 1.3% of the total water used for irrigated crops, and less than 1% of the total fresh water consumed. In addition, golf’s revenue ratio per acre-foot of water is more favorable than that of the state’s most common agricultural commodities including grapes, citrus, and almonds.
“Golf is more than just a game, it’s an industry that creates thousands of viable jobs for Californians, provides year-round fitness opportunities for citizens and life skill programs for our youth. Equally as important, is golf’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability” said Tom Addis III, president of the California Alliance for Golf. “We touch a lot of lives through golf; however, it’s important for the industry and policy makers to have credible quantification of the game’s real financial impacts and environmental benefits, which is what the SRI study reveals.”