Florida Senate - 2013                            (NP)    SR 1296
       
       
       
       By Senator Richter
       
       
       
       
       23-01544C-13                                          20131296__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing July 27 and 28, 2013, as
    3         “Florida Family Golf Days.”
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, the golf industry has become an integral part of
    6  the economy, identity, and quality of life in this state, and
    7         WHEREAS, golf has become a major component of Florida’s
    8  economy, with a direct economic impact in 2007 of $7.5 billion
    9  and an indirect economic benefit of $13.8 billion, and
   10         WHEREAS, the golf industry employs 167,000 Floridians and
   11  has an annual payroll of $4.7 billion, and
   12         WHEREAS, Florida is home to the PGA TOUR in Ponte Vedra
   13  Beach, the LPGA in Daytona Beach, the PGA of America in Palm
   14  Beach Gardens, The First Tee, the World Golf Hall of Fame, and
   15  the World Golf Foundation in St. Augustine, and
   16         WHEREAS, Florida enjoys nationally recognized statewide
   17  golf industry associations, including the Florida Club Managers
   18  Association of America, The Golf Course Superintendents
   19  Association of America, the Florida State Golf Association, and
   20  the Florida Sections of the PGA of America, and
   21         WHEREAS, Florida is home to more than 1,200 public and
   22  private golf course facilities, more than any other state in
   23  America, which generate revenues of $3.4 billion, more than all
   24  other spectator sports in the state combined, and
   25         WHEREAS, Florida will host 14 professional golf
   26  championships in 2013, including five PGA TOUR events, two
   27  Champions Tour events, a Web.com Tour event, an LPGA Tour event,
   28  three “Legends Tour” events, and five Symetra Tour events, and
   29         WHEREAS, two of golf’s most prestigious events are played
   30  in Florida, THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte
   31  Vedra Beach and the World Golf Championships – Cadillac
   32  Championship, played since 2007 at the Blue Monster Course of
   33  the Doral Golf Resort & Spa, and
   34         WHEREAS, Florida’s golf industry is a top contributor to
   35  charitable organizations, with donations totaling more than $312
   36  million annually from numerous charitable golf outings and
   37  events as well as the charitable giving associated with
   38  professional golf tournaments, and
   39         WHEREAS, beneficiaries of these charitable events include
   40  Miami Children’s Hospital, First Tee Miami, the Make-A-Wish
   41  Foundation, Baptist Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Miracle
   42  Network hospitals, the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care
   43  Foundation, The First Tee National School Program, Boy Scouts of
   44  America, the American Red Cross, the Alzheimer’s Support
   45  Network, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwest Florida, and many
   46  others, and
   47         WHEREAS, Florida’s golf courses and superintendents have
   48  continued to be stewards of the environment by using best
   49  practices in hazardous waste management, wetland and stormwater
   50  protection, and wastewater minimization, and
   51         WHEREAS, the game of golf assists in the development of
   52  Florida’s youth through the introduction of life skills
   53  experiences, management of emotions, goal setting, conflict
   54  resolution, and improving relationships with family and
   55  community, and
   56         WHEREAS, the concentration of golf activity in Florida in
   57  2013 will bring an unprecedented amount of worldwide exposure to
   58  this state, and
   59         WHEREAS, golf is a tremendous asset to this state,
   60  impacting quality of life and tourism and strengthening the
   61  state’s position as a great place to live and do business, and
   62         WHEREAS, the golf industry has a tremendous impact on the
   63  state’s economy, provides recreation and wellness opportunities
   64  for residents of all ages, fosters strong character development
   65  for Florida’s youth, provides opportunities for family playtime
   66  together, contributes significantly to charitable organizations,
   67  and is intrinsic to the brand of the Sunshine State, NOW,
   68  THEREFORE,
   69  
   70  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   71  
   72         That, in recognition of the importance of golf in
   73  strengthening families and to the economy of this state, the
   74  Senate recognizes July 27 and 28, 2013, as “Florida Family Golf
   75  Days.”
   76         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
   77  presented to the affiliated organizations of the World Golf
   78  Foundation as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed in
   79  this resolution.