When you think about advocating for the golf industry, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a suit-and-tie affair at National Golf Day or your state capitol. But after my own journey into government affairs, I have realized that the most effective form of advocacy starts on the turf that we manage every day.
In 2022, I approached GCSAA’s Michael Lee about the Grassroots Ambassador program. My interest in advocacy began after lengthy conversations with my father, Jack MacKenzie, CGCS, (former superintendent of North Oaks Golf Club and the previous Minnesota GCSA executive director) about the significant work that he did attending days at the Minnesota state capitol lobbying about water usage rights and pesticide regulations. I quickly came to the realization that if we do not tell the story of the golf course superintendent, somebody else will, and we might not like their version.
So, after becoming an ambassador in early 2023, I soon found myself in the field office of my congressman at the time, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), where I met with one of his staffers and had a positive discussion about the push for best management practices certification and general adoption in the industry. But in 2024, Rep. Sarbanes retired, and communication with his office ebbed and flowed. Through this, I learned persistence and consistency are key.
Last year, I had the opportunity to host a site visit with a field staff member from Rep. Sarah Elfreth’s (D-Md.) office, and what a great experience this was. When you can get a lawmaker or member of their staff on a golf cart for a ride around your course, water conservation and environmental stewardship become something tangible for them, not just words on paper. They typically spend a lot of time reviewing leave-behinds or one-pagers, and while those are important, hosting them for a tour shows that you are walking the walk. It also demonstrates that you are more than just a constituent in their district — you are an expert in your field, whom they can trust for reliable information.
A site visit can create a ripple effect, leading to simple email updates about success stories and challenges that you face in the field. Establishing that relationship makes communicating and making requests easier. You aren’t reaching out only when a concerning bill comes through and your back is against the wall. In fact, the office is now reaching out to you because you are a trusted advocate who has a proven track record. Consistency is key, and you can always find five minutes to send an email.
By the time National Golf Day comes around, these meetings with the staffers are a breeze. It is a powerful experience when hundreds of representatives from our industry are present and having meetings with lawmakers from nearly all 50 states in a single day. Being able to go into a meeting with data and an existing relationship puts a face to the story and means a lot when it comes to your work.
Even if you cannot host a visit or take time to get to D.C., when a product gets flagged by the EPA or undergoes registration review, for example, take the time to write up why it matters to you. A story about how you are a steward of the environment and how you professionally care for your property goes a lot further than the flood of angry form letters they typically receive.
Getting started in advocacy may seem daunting with all the other golf course issues you have going on, but it all starts with an email or phone call and can lead to the start of a mutually beneficial partnership. So, reach out, invite a representative to your course and show off those naturalized areas or pollinator habitats. We all manage unique and dynamic ecosystems daily. All we have to do is share them.
C. Tyler MacKenzie, CGCS, is golf course superintendent at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club in Columbia, Md., and a 13-year GCSAA member.