Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2023 - 36

USGA's RecordBreaking
Year
I
recently returned from the USGA Annual Meeting in Napa,
California. This was their first in-person meeting in three
years due to COVID-19. It was gratifying to gather again
among friends and connect with USGA leadership and staff.
Under the leadership of Mike Whan (USGA CEO of 18
months), the USGA experienced a record-breaking year in golf
in 2022. The USGA's new mantra is Unify, Showcase, Govern,
Advance. Let me share some of the information from the USGA
Annual Report.
According to the National Golf Foundation, there were 41.1
million active golfers in the United States last year, a growth of
10 million over the past eight years. The best part is this growth
represents huge increases in juniors, women and people of color.
There are more than 3 million golfers with a handicap index
(including over 400,000 who signed up for the first time). In
addition, 75.5 million scores were posted in the U.S. and 16 percent
of them were nine-hole rounds-and 92 percent of all scores
posted were done via the GHIN app.
Conducting national competitions is arguably one of the most
visible things the USGA does. Last year, there were 44,737 total
entries for the 15 USGA Championships-the highest in USGA
history. Additionally, USGA introduced the US Adaptive Open
Championship in Pinehurst in July. The inaugural field consisted
of 96 competitors from 15 to 80 years old, from 11 countries,
competing in eight impairment categories. Overall, broadcast
TV reached 37-plus million views with $250 million in local
economic impact generated by the USGA Championships.
The year of 2022 was a Rules Revision year and continued an
effort to make the Rules of Golf more understandable. Newly
added was Rule 25 - Modifications for Players with Disabilities.
USGA offers many educational opportunities with online videos
and multi-day workshops. Their Rules experts answered more
than 15,000 questions via email or phone. Upwards of 2,393 golf
clubs, balls and other pieces of equipment were submitted to
USGA for conformance testing.
USGA invests $8 million annually in growing the
game through the First Tee, Girls Golf, Drive, Chip &
Putt, the Boatwright
Internship Program and the USGA
36
MINNESOTAGOLFER Spring 2023
PRESIDENT'S DESK
" As strong as golf
is now, the game's
best days are still
ahead of us. "
-Mike Whan
Museum and Library.
The USGA has a strong commitment to environmentally sustainable
golf courses. They have been on the agronomic forefront
for more than 100 years. They have assisted in a 29 percent
reduction in water usage across the golf industry since 2005. The
Green Section continues to invest in research and fund grants
for the development of grasses that require less water and other
resources. In 2023, the USGA will launch a 15-year commitment
to invest $30 million to provide solutions that will reduce golf
course water use by up to 45 percent.
Quoting Mike Whan, " As strong as golf is now, the game's best
days are still ahead of us. " Aren't we lucky to be along for the ride.
Ede Rice, President
mngolf.org
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2023

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