The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) was part of a delegation of more than 200 people from the golf industry who visited Capitol Hill today on National Golf Day 2017 to raise awareness about the game's considerable impact on society and its long-term benefits for good health.
LPGA Foundation President Nancy Henderson and Foundation Director Kiernan Schindler joined officials from other golf organizations in several scheduled meetings on the Hill with United States Senators, representatives and their staff members to plead golf's case when it comes to environmental and labor regulations.
The golf bodies, which included the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, United States Golf Association and World Golf Foundation, were also seeking support for the proposed PHIT (Personal Health Investment Today) Act, which would allow for medical care tax treatment of qualified fitness and sports expenses.
"Golf really contributes not only to the economy but it gives back in so many ways," said Henderson, who is also Chief Teaching Officer for the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals.
"We wanted to talk to Senators and representatives about the many benefits that golf provides, with over $70 billion of economic impact in the United States each year and over 2 million jobs, plus the $4 billion that we raise for charity.
"Golf is also one of the few sports that you can play at the age of seven and at the age of 70," Henderson said about the game eagerly adding its voice to support of the PHIT Act. "It's a lifelong sport that provides health and wellness for so many, and it also helps with preventative benefits, getting individuals out there moving and really providing that exercise that people need in a wonderful environment."
Steve Mona, Chief Executive Officer of World Golf Foundation which is the driving force behind WE ARE GOLF and National Golf Day, said: "We are optimistic about the momentum for golf in 2017 and also pleased with the strides our industry has made on Capitol Hill in the last decade to ensure that golf's interests are effectively represented."
"What we want members to understand are the economic impact of golf, the money raised through golf for charitable purposes, almost all of which goes to causes outside of the golf industry and the environmental impact of golf, with two million acres of green space in the United States.
"Then they are the health and wellness benefits. If you play 18 holes and walk, that's 2,000 calories burned, that's 10,000 steps. Even if you ride in a cart, that's 1,300 calories burned. According to a Scandinavian study, golfers live five years longer than non-golfers so the point there is that are health and wellness benefits to the game."
The health benefits of golf were demonstrated in entertaining fashion for Senators and representatives in the Rayburn Foyer on the Hill by Karen Palacios-Jansen, Cardiogolf creator and Vice-President of the LPGA T&CP, who put five young members of the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program through their paces with warmup exercises and swing routines.
"A lot of people think, 'Oh, it's a game that people play and they ride in carts and drink beer but that's not true," said Palacios-Jansen, whose husband, retired American speed skater Dan Jansen, was also in the foyer to talk about the health benefits of golf.
"You know that you need to exercise anyway for better health but if you are a golfer why not do some swing exercises in between? So I have developed this program (Cardiogolf) to mesh the two together, so you can practice your game and get some exercise at the same time.
"And that's really important because health and wellness is really key with obesity rates going up, kids aren't playing sports any more. We know how the benefits of health are so important. They prevent diseases, they help people live longer. So if you are a golfer any way, you might as well get some exercise at the same time and practice your game."
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