TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s House of Representatives and Senate each presented proclamations today, citing Feb. 14 as “Florida Golf Day,” which recognizes the importance of the golf industry within the Sunshine State.

State Sen. Michael S. “Mike” Bennett (R), sponsoring the Senate Resolution, acknowledged that “the golfing industry makes enormous contributions to our state and impacts jobs, commerce, economic development, and tax revenues for a large number of Florida’s communities and industries.”

Annually, the size of Florida’s direct golf economy is approximately $7.5 billion (data based on 2007 study by SRI International). Golf brings visitors to the state, spurs new residential construction, generates retail sales and creates demand for a myriad of goods and services. When the total economic impact of these golf-related activities is considered, Florida’s golf industry in 2007 generated approximately:

• $13.8 billion of direct, indirect and induced economic output
• $4.7 billion of wage income
•  More than 167,000 jobs

“Golf has a dramatic impact on our State,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott. “Florida is the #1 golfing destination in the world, everything that we are doing to draw people and promote our state involves golf.”

The 2012 Florida Golf Day featured attendees from the Florida Golf Impact Task Force including: The PGA of America, PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Club Managers Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, World Golf Hall of Fame, World Golf Foundation, The First Tee, Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, Florida Turfgrass Association, Florida Chapter of Club Managers Association of America, North Florida PGA Section, South Florida PGA Section,  Florida State University’s PGA Golf Management University Program, Florida Junior Golf Council and Golf Channel.

An interactive swing zone was set up at Waller Park, on the west side of the Capitol, featuring North Florida PGA Professionals and David Leadbetter, a renowned PGA Professional and coach to several prominent PGA, European, LPGA and Champions Tour players. Throughout the day, members of the golf industry met with key legislators, state agency heads and members of the Governor’s Office to stress the importance of golf in Florida.

“With more than 1,100 golf facilities in Florida, there are 167,000 people who are employed because of the golf industry in the state,” said PGA Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka. “Golf is enjoyed by millions who visit the wonderful courses throughout Florida, as well as those of us who live here. It’s a great game, and we also want elected officials and agency personnel in Florida – whether they’re making the decisions on legislation or writing a law for this country – to recognize that we have a very good economic model for those whose livelihoods depend on golf.”

Florida Golf Economic Highlights (based on 2007 SRI Study):

Golf Facility Operations
In 2007, more than $3.4 billion in revenue was generated among Florida’s:

• 1,128 golf courses,
• 75 stand-alone ranges
• 84 miniature golf facilities

This level of revenue is comparable to the revenues of all other major spectator sports in the state combined—football, baseball, basketball, hockey, auto racing and soccer.

Major Tournaments and Associations

Florida is home to the:

• PGA TOUR, in Ponte Vedra Beach
• LPGA, in Daytona Beach
• The PGA of America, in Palm Beach Gardens
• The First Tee, World Golf Hall of Fame and World Golf Foundation, all in St. Augustine.

In 2012, Florida will host multiple professional golf championships, including six PGA TOUR events featuring THE PLAYERS Championship and World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship; as well as three Champions Tour events; two Nationwide Tour events; and one LPGA Tour event.

Enabled Industries

Hospitality/Tourism: In 2007, SRI estimates golf-related tourism spending in Florida was $1.71 billion ($1.57 billion from domestic visitors; and $0.14 billion from international visitors). This is based on the following golf-trip and associated-expenditure data for Florida residents and non-residents

• An estimated 2.03 million day trips—with average spending of $62 per day
• An estimated 3.17 million domestic overnight trips—with average spending of $454 per trip
• An estimated 0.29 million international overnight trips—with average spending of $476 per trip.

The average length of a domestic overnight trip in Florida is more than five days, significantly longer than other states.

Click here for live audio from CEO of the PGA of America, Joe Steranka.

The South Florida PGA conducted a successful Play Golf America event this past weekend at the Allianz Championship. Golfers of all skill levels and ages took free lessons from South Florida PGA Professionals that we on hand to help. A big thank you to our PGA members who gave a total of 105 free lessons: Steve Clawson, Chris Czaja, Larry Eaton, Mike Jonges, and Bobby Petelinkar.

We appreciate everything you do to grow the game of golf!

Over 150 students, along with twenty faculty members at Deerfield Park Elementary were afforded the opportunity to see Dennis Walters perform his famous show Tuesday morning, February 8^th.  With inclement weather in the forecast, the threat of storms had everyone worried that the show would be unable to go on, but the clouds broke apart just in time for Dennis to begin!

This is the first show that Dennis has performed at Deerfield Park Elementary, and students hope that it will not be his last. The show began with a special performance by Dennis’ super dog and best friend, Bucky. After Bucky tried to steal the show, Dennis took the stage to show the students his amazing ability to strike a golf ball while sitting in his swivel chair, along with many other great tricks.

Outside of the amazing talents that Dennis has and the trick shots that he performs; it is the message that Dennis conveys that is most important. His message of inspiration and desire to preserver no matter what life brings your way. Dennis’ message is conveyed through his show, by showing even though he does not have use of his legs, he can still do what he loves most, play golf!

Immediately following the performance Jersey Mike’s Subs was on site providing lunch to all those who attended the show. This performance would not have been possible without the support of Dennis’ partners Jersey Mike’s Subs, Jelly Belly, and The First Tee; along with PGA Professional Don Law, his wife Diana, the entire staff at the Don Law Golf Academy.

About Dennis Walters

Growing up Dennis’ dream was to play on The PGA Tour. After a tragic accident in 1974, Dennis was left paralyzed from the waist down. This accident was difficult for Dennis as he began to find out that there were a lot of things he couldn’t do.  One thing Dennis knew was he would never give up playing golf, and that is when his never say die attitude was developed, which lead to his new career.

About South Florida PGA Foundation

The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded to support the South Florida community, with a focus on junior golf, education and scholarships, and charitable gifting.  The South Florida PGA Foundation falls under the direction of the of the South Florida PGA, a not-for-profit organization comprised of over 1,600 men and women PGA Professionals dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

About Deerfield Park Elementary

The mission of Deerfield Park Elementary School of Performing and Visual Arts is to teach children important life skills, which will promote success in reaching their maximum potential in a safe and orderly environment.  With a supportive community partnership, we will meet the diverse needs of our students and the challenges of a changing society by integrating the arts with academics.

ATLANTIS, FL – On Tuesday, February 7^th, PGA of America honorary member, Dennis Walters will perform his famous show for over 350 students at Deerfield Park Elementary School in Deerfield Beach.  Dennis annually visits the Don Law Golf Academy in Boca Raton affording young students in Palm Beach County with an opportunity to hear his message of inspiration.

For the past seven years, with the help of PGA Professional Don Law, his wife Diana, the entire staff at the Don Law Golf Academy, and Walters’ sponsors Jersey Mikes and Jelly Belly, thousands of young children in Palm Beach County have had an opportunity to be wowed by Dennis’ show and this time it will be no different.

Dennis’ show will last one hour and will features the most amazing golf tricks, a message of inspiration, along with a special performance by Bucky, Dennis’ super dog and best friend.  Bucky is best known for his uncanny ability to correctly answer questions by barking out the answers. I think you need to say this sentence with using the word “answer” once.

The show is fun, but most importantly it conveys an important message to youth.  Dennis challenges each student to follow their dream in life, and motivates them with his talents.  Each and every show he states, “I’m not talking about a dream you have at night. To me a real dream is having a positive thought in your head and in your heart and doing whatever it takes to make that come true. Also, if you have a dream and it doesn’t work out, never stop dreaming; get a new dream!

About Dennis Walters

Growing up Dennis’ dream was to play on The PGA Tour. After a tragic accident in 1974, Dennis was left paralyzed from the waist down. This accident was difficult for Dennis as he began to find out that there were a lot of things he couldn’t do.  One thing Dennis knew was he would never give up playing golf, and that is when his never say die attitude was developed, which lead to his new career.

About South Florida PGA Foundation

The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded to support the South Florida community, with a focus on junior golf, education and scholarships, and charitable gifting.  The South Florida PGA Foundation falls under the direction of the of the South Florida PGA, a not-for-profit organization comprised of over 1,600 men and women PGA Professionals dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

About Deerfield Park Elementary

The mission of Deerfield Park Elementary School of Performing and Visual Arts is to teach children important life skills, which will promote success in reaching their maximum potential in a safe and orderly environment.  With a supportive community partnership, we will meet the diverse needs of our students and the challenges of a changing society by integrating the arts with academics.