In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

Wilson Golf Reed On The Greens, by Jeffrey Reed
March 8, 2010
Copyright 2010 London Ontario Golf

With the 2010 golf season in southwestern Ontario just around the corner, it's time to examine some business-of-golf numbers. These are available through an economic impact study for golf in Canada – a ground-breaking study conducted by the National Association of National Allied Golf Association (NAGA).

There are some juicy details in this study, but none more revealing than this: the game of golf accounts for an estimated $11.3 billion of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the golf industry generates an estimated $29.4 billion in total gross production. The study estimates $13.6 billion represents total direct sales from the Canadian golf industry. More than $439 million is raised at charity golf tournaments each year. Any way you cut it, golf contributes largely to Canada’s overall economy.

In terms of golf activity from tee to green, the NAGA study estimates there are 6 million Canadian golfers, playing 70 million rounds in 2008 – about 10 per cent lower than previous years. This year is expected to be much worse. That’s not good, but as an industry, we expected such a drop in play. Weather patterns, a hyper busy society robbing of us leisure time, and added costs – all in a near-depression economy – have challenged the game of golf.

Here are highlights from that study:

Based on a nation-wide survey of more than 4,000 golfers and 350 golf courses in 10 provinces and three territories, the Economic impact study (EIS) of golf for Canada (“Measuring the game of golf in Canada”) provides the first comprehensive and independent assessment of the economic impact of the golf industry in Canada.

The game of golf accounts for an estimated $11.3 billion of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which includes:

341,794 jobs;

$7.6 billion in household income;

$1.2 billion in property and other indirect taxes; and,

$1.9 billion in income taxes.

Golf in Canada generates an estimated $29.4 billion in total gross production through direct, indirect and induced spending impacts.

The total direct economic activity (total direct sales) resulting from the Canadian Golf Industry is estimated at $13.6 billion. Of this total, the revenues generated directly by golf courses and their facilities and stand-alone driving and practice ranges ($4.7 billion) rivals the revenues generated by all other participation sports and recreation facilities combined ($4.8 billion) in Canada.

Additional key benefits and impact of golf in Canada include:

Environmental Benefits – Over 200,000 hectares of green space managed by golf course operators, including 41,000 hectares of unmanaged wildlife habitat under golf course stewardship.

Golf Participation –SNG estimates that approximately 70 million rounds of golf were played in 2008, a level of play that was as much as 10% lower than the average number of rounds based on prior years.

According to IPSOS Reid, there are an estimated 6 million Canadian golfers. According to RCGA sources, Canadian golf participation rates are among the highest in the world.

Employment Opportunities – The Canadian Golf Industry provides an excellent employment opportunity, with as many as 43% of those employed at Canadian golf courses being students.

Estimated Impact on Property Values – The location of houses adjacent to golf courses provides benefits to homeowners that stem from higher home values compared to similar homes that are not adjacent to courses. The total incremental impact on home values is estimated at $1.4 billion.

Charitable Activity – Each year there are at least 25,000 charitable events hosted at Canadian courses. Using conservative estimates, these events raise more than $439 million for charitable causes across Canada.

Golf Tourism – Canadian travellers make more than 1 million trips involving golf, spending an estimated $1.9 billion annually on golf-related travel within Canada.

Aside from households, which command more that 25% of the gross economic effects of golf, Canada’s manufacturing sector is impacted the most by Canadian golf related expenditures, commanding 13% of golf’s gross economic impacts in Canada. This is followed by the finance, insurance and real estate services and retail trade sectors.

From many perspectives the game of golf is a significant contributor to the economies of each province and for Canada overall.

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About Wilson Golf
For nearly a century, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 61 Major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. Wilson Staff's Zip Ball, Di9 iron and the Wilson Staff Smooth driver were honoured with Golf Digest's Hot List awards in 2009. Wilson Staff, Profile, ProStaff and Hope consumer brands continue that tradition today by delivering the highest quality golf equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the course and overall enjoyment of the game.

Wilson Golf is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., one of the world's leading manufacturers of sports equipment by Amer Sports. Consumers can log onto www.wilsonstaff.com or call 1-800-622-0444 for more information.