Representing the Golf Alliance of Oregon (GAO), Barb Trammell, CEO of the Oregon Golf Association unveiled the results of an economic impact study at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City in mid-October 2010. The research study was conducted on behalf of the Golf Alliance of Oregon, a consortium of the major trade and consumer golf associations.
“In order to get the attention of decision-makers, it is important that we be able to quantify the contributions of our industry to those that may be affected,” said Trammell. “The continued health and growth of the golf industry has a direct bearing on future jobs, commerce, economic development, and tax revenues for a large number of Oregon’s communities and industries.”
Dr. Peter Ryan, provided details on the project he led on behalf of SRI International and the World Golf Foundation. “The importance of golf in Oregon extends beyond the golf facilities themselves. With $1.2 billion of direct economic activity in 2008, the sheer size of the game of golf makes it a major industry in its own right and a significant contributor to Oregon’s economy,” said Ryan.
“That makes Oregon’s golf industry revenues comparable in size to other important industries here including paper manufacturing ($3.7 billion), software publishing ($1.4 billion), and even the greenhouse and nursery business ($0.9 billion).”In total, Oregon’s golf industry generated an economic impact of $2.5 billion, supporting nearly 27,200 jobs with $703.6 million of wage income,” he said.
Golfer supplies represented the largest golf industry segment (owing to Nike Golf’s headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.) amounting to $464.6 million, followed by golf facility revenues totaling $361.7 million and golf-related hospitality and tourism at $221.8.
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