Toro Participates in National Golf Day in Washington, D.C.

National Golf Day brings leaders from across the industry together to educate elected officials on the value of golf. The growing event, organized by the American Golf Industry Coalition, saw 320 attendees this year. Each attendee has a passion for the organization’s shared goal: leveling the playing field for the golf industry. There’s a focus on highlighting the positive impact golf has on the economy and environment, its charitable side, and its health and wellness impacts. Lobbying is a major part of the event, but there’s also one day dedicated to completing a service project. Annually, attendees get hands-on with equipment on the National Mall and/or local golf courses to make a difference in the D.C. area. 

All 40+ partners within the American Golf Industry Coalition participate — from the PGA Tour to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America to The Toro Company. Associations, architects, builders and corporate companies all play a part in the coalition, creating a well-rounded group fit to induce change. 

Giving Back to the D.C. Community 

National Golf Day’s service project included maintenance at East Potomac Golf Links, which falls under the umbrella of the nonprofit National Links Trust. Their mission is to positively impact the community and change lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf. 

Toro, alongside our distributor Turf Equipment and Supply Co., sponsored the East Potomac leg of the service project. Les Lear, sales manager with Turf Equipment and Supply, and Dave Dynowski, Toro district sales manager, were instrumental in ensuring the fleet of Toro equipment was on-site and ready for action. 

Lear also participated in the service project work. “A lot of high-level members and other association chapters of the GCSAA were present at East Potomac. Some of those people drove hours and hours to participate and give back with their time. That’s what it’s all about. It was awesome and I was happy to be a part of it,” says Lear. 

Chava McKeel, GCSAA Director of Government Affairs, who helps oversee the events of National Golf Day, says “Volunteers are doing real, meaningful work that benefits the location and we couldn’t complete the projects without support from manufacturers like Toro.” 

At East Potomac’s Red Course (one of three courses on location), Toro equipment was used to aerify tees, approaches, greens and cart paths along the Red Course. Around 50 people participated in the project, using an Outcross 9060 outfitted with the ProCore 1298 Turf Aerator, ProCore 648, a top dresser, HD Workman utility vehicle and more. 

“On a scale of one to 10, I’d put the project at a 12. Everything went as well as I could have ever hoped. I’m looking forward to continuing a relationship and coming up with a fun project again next year,” says Tim Zurybida, Director of Agronomy for National Links Trust. 

The Issues at Hand 

McKeel explains the coalition’s approach to legislature; “Creating change for the industry isn’t a short game, but a marathon effort. We’re focused on steady progress and small wins, knowing that every step we take makes a difference.” 

For example, the coalition is proud to have reignited the Congressional Golf Caucus, a group of 141 congressional members who support the game of golf. The coalition also works to bring specific issues to Capitol Hill. This year, 240 individuals from 40 different states met with members of Congress to advocate for the industry. Three main issues were discussed: 

1. The PAR Act – Legislation aimed at removing certain language discriminatory to golf from the tax code. It has been reintroduced to the current administration and is steadily building co-sponsors and supporters. 

2. PHIT Act – The PHIT Act is led by the Sports Fitness Industry Association and supported by the American Golf Industry Coalition. This bill would allow individuals to use their pre-tax medical savings account (HSA) toward the purchase of golf or other sporting equipment, up to $2,000 per year. 

3. The Farm Bill – This bill passes every five years, and the coalition is working to ensure Congress continues to recognize turfgrass as a specialty crop within it, therefore, allocating resources towards turfgrass research. 

For more information on Toro’s latest product initiatives and programs, go to toro.com.