News Release

For Immediate Release: February 1, 2000

This is one of the key findings of a new report, The Economic Contributions of the Golf Industry to the Massachusetts Economy, developed for the Massachusetts Golf Association and the Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations (AMGO) by the National Golf Foundation of Florida and FXM Associates of Massachusetts.

"This report indicates that golf is both big and good business in Massachusetts. The golf industry alone contributes direct sales/output of $1.6 billion, employs over 19,000 people and adds $400 million in wages to the state's economy" said Thomas Landry, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Golf Association. "The golf industry's gross output is comparable to other significant Massachusetts industries, namely chemical products ($1.8 billion), hotels and lodging ($1.6 billion), trucking and warehousing ($1.4 billion), personal services ($1.3 billion), and paper products ($1.2 billion)."

The total effect of the golf industry on the economy of the state also includes the purchases made by employees within Massachusetts, as well the expenditures for goods and services made by golf-related companies from other in-state businesses. These total direct, indirect and induced effects each year within the economy of Massachusetts are estimated in the report as follows:

Output - $2.5 billion in net sales to Massachusetts businesses
Employment - 28,800 full and part-time jobs in Massachusetts
Wages - $700 million to residents of Massachusetts
State Taxes - $69 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Local Taxes - $44 million to Massachusetts municipalities
Federal Taxes - $226 million paid by Massachusetts residents

Because significant level of sales are made outside of Massachusetts by such companies as Titleist & FootJoy Worldwide, Spalding Sports Worldwide, The Ben Hogan Company, Etonic Golf, Dexter Shoe Company, Reebok, and MacNeil Engineering, the effect of the Massachusetts golf industry on the national economy is also significant. The Massachusetts golf industry's total direct, indirect, and induced effect on the U.S. economy is estimated as follows:

Output - $5.6 billion in net sales to U.S. companies
Employment - 65,000 full and part-time jobs
Wages - $1.9 billion to U.S. residents
State Taxes - $169 million to states
Local Taxes - $142 million to municipalities
Federal Taxes - $517 million paid by U.S. Residents

"The dollars do not tell the entire story. In addition to the solid base of jobs, the local golf industry provides a wholesome recreational outlet for thousands of residents and visitors. Golf in Massachusetts also provides thousands of acres of high quality open space in our local communities," comments Walter Lankau, Stow Acres Country Club, member of AMGO, and newly elected Vice President of National Golf Course Owners Association.

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.