NAGA Launches Ecconomic Impact Study of Golf In Canada

The NAGA has selected Ottawa-based Strategic Networks Group (SNG) as the winning consulting firm for conducting this Canadian study to quantify golf's "Gross National Product" as well as estimate the economic impact of golf nationally and for each province.

"SNG is pleased to have been selected out of a field of international competitors to undertake this important and landmark study of the game and business of golf in Canada. This is the first time there has ever been a Canada-wide study of the impact of golf and our team is looking forward to assessing the impacts of this sport which involves as many as 5.95 million Canadian golfers," said SNG President Michael Curri.

In June 2007, key representatives of the Canadian golf industry gathered for the "NAGA Research Summit" to review the current state of golf in Canada and determined that one of the key priorities was to conduct an economic analysis of golf in Canada because of the information and research needs of the golf industry.

In a previous study for the Royal Canadian Golf Association it had been determined that the game of golf was a multi-billion dollar industry in Canada with an impact far beyond local golf courses, upscale resorts or private development communities.

The National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) represents the seven major national golf associations in Canada;

Canadian Golf Industry Association (CGIA)
Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA)
Canadian Professional Golfers Association (CPGA)
Canadian Society of Club Managers (CSCM)
Canadian Professional Golf Tour
National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada)
Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA)

"This study is the first of its kind in Canada and will fill a significant gap in research available in this country that will provide us with a much broader and more accurate picture of the economic impact of golf that includes elements related to tourism, real estate, contributions to charity, etc." says NAGA Chairman, Elizabeth DiChiara, CSCM Executive Director. "This is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by NAGA to support the game of golf in Canada and further demonstrates the value of collaboration among the leaders within the golf industry."

In a statement released today it was announced that the SNG's approach to analyzing the economic impacts of golf in Canada will involve collecting impact data directly from stakeholders in the golf industry (golf facility operators, individual golfers, etc.) to quantify golf's direct impacts to the Canadian economy. Existing secondary information will be referenced to help complement our assessment of direct impacts.

This combined research will be used to construct an economic model that maps-out the economic impact relationships of the golf industry and its related industry verticals in order to estimate the economic impact of golf beyond the immediate stakeholders in the golf industry.

The SNG team has extensive experience with community and regional economic development policy and strategy, which will be applied to the research results and economic impact findings to assess the role and importance of golf to Canada's economic context at a National and Provincial level.

The Final Report, to be delivered to NAGA in February 2009, will be an independent assessment of the impacts of the Canadian Golf industry on employment, taxes, GDP, household income, and consumer spending, across Canada and within each province. In addition, this study will provide a more complete understanding of the economic dimension of golf to supporting industries, consumers and the public, and government at local, provincial and national levels.

ABOUT NAGA (National Allied Golf Associations)
NAGA is a national golf organization comprised of the Canadian Golf Industry Association, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, Canadian Professional Golfers Association, Canadian Society of Club Managers, Canadian Professional Golf Tour, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada and the Royal Canadian Golf Association, dedicated to improving all sectors of golf in Canada. Formed in 1999, NAGA's objective is to work cooperatively together as industry leaders ensuring a strong future for golf in Canada.

ABOUT THE SNG (Strategic Networks Group)
On their web site the study group says: Strategic Networks Group (SNG) helps communities and regions leverage the benefits of broadband and ICT for economic and social development. We are an international provider of economic analysis, feasibility studies, impact assessments and implementation planning for investments in information & communication technologies (ICT). Our consulting services are designed to accelerate both the deployment of critical broadband infrastructure and its use by local businesses and industry.

SNG represents the forefront in economic planning for regional economic development through ICT. We build local capacity that enables clients to realize the full benefits of broadband infrastructure and ICT applications, no matter what their current state of readiness or infrastructure.

Our clients understand the importance of broadband for maintaining economic growth and community vitality and they want to move more effectively from intent to action. We design and manage strategies for regional development, including business sector retention and expansion. Our focus on business sectors leverages broadband and ICT to open new markets, improve operational efficiencies and increase overall competitiveness. The resulting business benefits translate into enhanced opportunities for citizens and measurable economic growth for the region.

We work with clients to build a business and economic case for investments in broadband infrastructure that meet the current and future needs of:

-- -- Communities and Regions
-- -- Government - local, regional and national
-- -- Businesses and Industry Associations