Industry’s Workplace Inclusion Survey Outlines Areas that Need Addressing;Grassroots Grants Program Expands, with $750,000 Allocated in Next Phase
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2022) – Last week, the golf industry convened for the first time in two years, at the 2022 PGA Show in Orlando, Fla. A consistent presence that greeted those in attendance was Make Golf Your Thing, the industry’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative. The American Golf Industry Coalition provides support to the six cross-industry Make Golf Your Thing work groups dedicated to making golf accessible to all. Leaders from each of the six groups took part in panel discussions at the Show, including the human resources group sharing results of an industry-wide workplace inclusion survey (more than 2,300 industry professionals from 35 organizations participated).
“These survey results are pivotal to the industry’s ability to understand how we can make our workplaces more inclusive,” said Sandy Cross, Chief People Officer, PGA of America. “The industry collectively is committed to being more welcoming and inclusive of individuals from all backgrounds, identities and abilities, and the tangible data provided through the survey will help us advance that mission.” Additional key priorities discussed at the Show around advancing Make Golf Your Thing in 2022 included:
- Establishing an industry-wide job board that implements a comprehensive recruiting plan to attract more diverse talent to the industry
- Launching a Make Golf Your Thing directory for consumers to easily find a golf program, clinic, event, or coach best suited for their skill level
- Expansion of the Grassroots Grants program: Phase I and Phase II each awarded $150,000 to support organizations dedicated to increasing golf participation for underrepresented populations; Phase III will award an additional $750,000 in funding
- Developing a utilization baseline for the golf industry’s freedatabase of diverse owned suppliers, which to-date includes more than 1,600 businesses
- Expanding the Make Golf Your Thing industry toolkit to reflect more resources and engagement at the facility level.
Representing a partnership among golf’s leading organizations, the American Golf Industry Coalition is committed to addressing the collective interests of the industry. The coalition also works to amplify tangible examples of key initiatives at both the grassroots and industry workforce level and advocate in support of issues that impact the industry at the state and federal level. The industry came together virtually for ‘National Golf Day’ in 2021 due to the coronavirus, and details on 2022 National Golf Day will be made available soon. About Make Golf Your Thing. A multi-faceted, multi-year movement, Make Golf Your Thing is a collaborative effort across the industry to invite more people to golf from all backgrounds. Six cross-industry workgroups are committed to making the sport more diverse, equitable and inclusive, with a specific focus on: education & skill development, talent acquisition, procurement, human resources, youth & adult player development, and marketing/communications. About the American Golf Industry CoalitionThe American Golf Industry Coalition advocates on behalf of golf’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; environmental and sustainability initiatives; contributions to the economy (local and national); health and wellness benefits, as well as charitable giving. The organization unites the golf industry in pursuit of goals designed to enhance the vitality and diversity of both the business and recreational levels of the sport. The American Golf Industry Coalition is a division of the World Golf Foundation. To learn more, visit www.golfcoalition.org.
