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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Golf is a sport enjoyed by millions of Texans of all |
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ages and backgrounds, providing recreational opportunities that |
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promote physical activity, mental health, and social interaction; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Golf proved to be a safe, accessible, and essential |
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activity for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering an |
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emotionally beneficial outlet that reduced stress and contributed |
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greatly to overall well-being; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is home to the headquarters of the PGA of |
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America, one of the largest professional sports organizations in |
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the world, and it also boasts more than 800 golf courses, ranking |
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among the top states in the U.S. for the number of golfing |
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facilities; these courses are spread across the diverse landscapes |
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of the Lone Star State, including everything from the desert |
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mountains of West Texas to the limestone vistas of the Hill Country, |
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the lush forests of the Piney Woods, and the seaside locales of the |
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Coastal Bend; and |
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WHEREAS, The golf industry in Texas plays a significant role |
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in the state's economy; in 2023, the direct golf economy was valued |
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at $7.7 billion, and it supported a total economic impact of $14.2 |
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billion, including indirect and induced economic impacts driven by |
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the golf sector; the sport creates more than 107,000 jobs and |
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contributes significantly to the state's robust tourism and |
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hospitality industries; in addition, the Texas golf industry gives |
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back to communities throughout the state by fostering more than |
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15,000 charitable initiatives each year; and |
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WHEREAS, Golf courses provide significant environmental |
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benefits, serving as a means of cooling urban areas, mitigating |
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flooding, and filtering stormwater, as well as offering habitat for |
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wildlife; golf course operators are on the forefront of |
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environmental stewardship, with over 90 percent employing best |
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management practices for water and energy conservation; moreover, |
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golf courses aid in the development of attractive communities and |
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reduce costs for public infrastructure; and |
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WHEREAS, Golf has a rich history in Texas, with many |
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legendary players, tournaments, and institutions contributing to |
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the sport's legacy; each year, Texas is among the states hosting the |
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most professional golf tournaments, and in 2025, the competitions |
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include four PGA TOUR tournaments and two major LPGA championships, |
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as well as events on the Korn Ferry and PGA TOUR Champions; Texas |
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golfers have been integral to the sport, winning a total of 102 |
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major championships, and 25 players from the state have earned |
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induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is leading the way in preserving the sport's |
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rich history through the Texas Golf Hall of Fame's digital museum |
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and its anchor sites located on the Northern Texas PGA Frisco campus |
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and at the Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio; and |
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WHEREAS, Golf in Texas is promoted and advanced by seven |
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primary allied associations, the Northern Texas PGA, the Southern |
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Texas PGA, the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association, |
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the Texas Golf Association, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, the Texas |
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Lone Star Chapter of the Club Management Association of America, |
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and the Texas Alliance of Recreational Organizations; and |
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WHEREAS, Golf is beloved by a multitude of enthusiasts in |
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Texas and around the globe, and the sport has contributed |
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immeasurably to the quality of life and economic well-being in |
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communities across the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 6, 2025, as Golf Day and commend |
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all those who have helped further the sport's stature in the state. |