MGA Announces Forthcoming Economic Impact Study

EDINA, Minn. (Jan. 5, 2024) – The Minnesota Golf Association, in collaboration with its allied golf industry partners and the National Golf Foundation, is undertaking a new economic impact study to be published this spring. This represents the fourth such economic impact study compiled and completed on behalf of the golf industry in Minnesota since 1998 (the most recent study was prepared using 2016 data and published in 2019). 

“Conducting this study will allow the MGA and our allied associations to demonstrate the far-reaching impact of the golf industry in our state,” says Jon Mays, MGA executive director and chief operating officer.

“Previous studies have established the golf industry as being on par with industries such as milk production ($1.6 billion), spectator sports ($752 million), and surgical, medical equipment and supplies manufacturing ($3.6 billion). This clearly demonstrates the importance of golf courses and other golf-related activities to our local communities and the state economy at large.” 

In the previous study, the total economic impact of golf-related activities (that is, core industries such as golf facility operations, construction and capital investment, plus enabled industries like real estate, hospitality and tourism), generated approximately $2.3 billion in direct, indirect and induced economic output, $743 million in wage income, $201 million in state and local tax revenues, $480 million in visitor spending, and nearly 25,000 jobs. 

With the golf industry riding an unprecedented wave of participation following the global pandemic, results from the new study are expected to eclipse those published in 2019. 

Nationally, the U.S. golf economy accounts for $102 billion in goods and services and generates an estimated total economic impact of $226 billion, a 20 percent increase since the previous findings were released in 2016. 

About this study
The Minnesota Golf Economy study will be conducted by David Lorentz, Jodi Reilly and Richard Singer of the National Golf Foundation with significant contributions from individuals representing the Minnesota Golf Association and its allied associations: Jon Mays and Ede Rice (MGA); Chris Aumock (MGCSA); Phil Anderson (MNPGA); Patrick Renner (MWGCOA); and Rollie Carlson (CMAA). 

About the MGA
The MGA’s mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values for all golfers in Minnesota. Founded in 1901, the MGA is a non-profit association of more than 400 member golf clubs and 92,000 associate members who play organized golf at these public and private facilities. The MGA conducts 24 amateur championships and 14 USGA qualifiers every year. In addition to golf competitions, the MGA publishes the Minnesota Golfer magazine, conducts Rules of Golf workshops and education, provides USGA course rating and measuring services, supports Turf Grass Research at the University of Minnesota, and provides charitable support for additional good-for-the-game initiatives. 

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