The Wisconsin Golf Economy Report, prepared by SRI International, was commissioned by GOLF 20/20 for the Wisconsin allied golf associations including the Golf Course Owners of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Wisconsin PGA Section and the Wisconsin State Golf Association.

“The economic report confirms what many of us have known – Wisconsin is golf crazy,” said Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. “Golf contributes billions of dollars to our economy, provides tens of thousands of jobs and our top rate courses attract golfers from around the world. I’m happy to welcome The PGA of America back to Wisconsin for another great Championship to show off one of our signature courses to golf fans.”

In 2008, the size of Wisconsin’s direct golf economy was approximately $1.2 billion. Golf brings visitors to the state, drives new construction and residential development, generates retail sales, and creates demand for a myriad of goods and services. When the total economic impact of these golf-related activities is considered, Wisconsin’s golf industry generated approximately $2.4 billion of direct, indirect and induced economic output, $771.5 million of wage income, and 38,431 jobs in 2008.

It is exciting to see the kind of impact that one industry can have on a state. Now the industry needs to tell golfers to get out there.