| 1 | 1 | | 89R25365 HMR-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Harless H.R. No. 897 |
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| 6 | 6 | | |
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| 7 | 7 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Golf is a sport enjoyed by millions of Texans of all |
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| 9 | 9 | | ages and backgrounds, providing recreational opportunities that |
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| 10 | 10 | | promote physical activity, mental health, and social interaction; |
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| 11 | 11 | | and |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, Golf proved to be a safe, accessible, and essential |
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| 13 | 13 | | activity for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering an |
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| 14 | 14 | | emotionally beneficial outlet that reduced stress and contributed |
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| 15 | 15 | | greatly to overall well-being; and |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, Texas is home to the headquarters of the PGA of |
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| 17 | 17 | | America, one of the largest professional sports organizations in |
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| 18 | 18 | | the world, and it also boasts more than 800 golf courses, ranking |
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| 19 | 19 | | among the top states in the U.S. for the number of golfing |
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| 20 | 20 | | facilities; these courses are spread across the diverse landscapes |
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| 21 | 21 | | of the Lone Star State, including everything from the desert |
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| 22 | 22 | | mountains of West Texas to the limestone vistas of the Hill Country, |
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| 23 | 23 | | the lush forests of the Piney Woods, and the seaside locales of the |
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| 24 | 24 | | Coastal Bend; and |
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| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, The golf industry in Texas plays a significant role |
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| 26 | 26 | | in the state's economy; in 2023, the direct golf economy was valued |
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| 27 | 27 | | at $7.7 billion, and it supported a total economic impact of $14.2 |
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| 28 | 28 | | billion, including indirect and induced economic impacts driven by |
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| 29 | 29 | | the golf sector; the sport creates more than 107,000 jobs and |
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| 30 | 30 | | contributes significantly to the state's robust tourism and |
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| 31 | 31 | | hospitality industries; in addition, the Texas golf industry gives |
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| 32 | 32 | | back to communities throughout the state by fostering more than |
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| 33 | 33 | | 15,000 charitable initiatives each year; and |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, Golf courses provide significant environmental |
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| 35 | 35 | | benefits, serving as a means of cooling urban areas, mitigating |
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| 36 | 36 | | flooding, and filtering stormwater, as well as offering habitat for |
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| 37 | 37 | | wildlife; golf course operators are on the forefront of |
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| 38 | 38 | | environmental stewardship, with over 90 percent employing best |
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| 39 | 39 | | management practices for water and energy conservation; moreover, |
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| 40 | 40 | | golf courses aid in the development of attractive communities and |
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| 41 | 41 | | reduce costs for public infrastructure; and |
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| 42 | 42 | | WHEREAS, Golf has a rich history in Texas, with many |
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| 43 | 43 | | legendary players, tournaments, and institutions contributing to |
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| 44 | 44 | | the sport's legacy; each year, Texas is among the states hosting the |
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| 45 | 45 | | most professional golf tournaments, and in 2025, the competitions |
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| 46 | 46 | | include four PGA TOUR tournaments and two major LPGA championships, |
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| 47 | 47 | | as well as events on the Korn Ferry and PGA TOUR Champions; Texas |
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| 48 | 48 | | golfers have been integral to the sport, winning a total of 102 |
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| 49 | 49 | | major championships, and 25 players from the state have earned |
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| 50 | 50 | | induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame; and |
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| 51 | 51 | | WHEREAS, Texas is leading the way in preserving the sport's |
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| 52 | 52 | | rich history through the Texas Golf Hall of Fame's digital museum |
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| 53 | 53 | | and its anchor sites located on the Northern Texas PGA Frisco campus |
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| 54 | 54 | | and at the Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio; and |
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| 55 | 55 | | WHEREAS, Golf in Texas is promoted and advanced by seven |
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| 56 | 56 | | primary allied associations, the Northern Texas PGA, the Southern |
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| 57 | 57 | | Texas PGA, the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association, |
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| 58 | 58 | | the Texas Golf Association, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, the Texas |
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| 59 | 59 | | Lone Star Chapter of the Club Management Association of America, |
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| 60 | 60 | | and the Texas Alliance of Recreational Organizations; and |
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| 61 | 61 | | WHEREAS, Golf is beloved by a multitude of enthusiasts in |
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| 62 | 62 | | Texas and around the globe, and the sport has contributed |
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| 63 | 63 | | immeasurably to the quality of life and economic well-being in |
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| 64 | 64 | | communities across the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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| 65 | 65 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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| 66 | 66 | | Legislature hereby recognize May 6, 2025, as Golf Day and commend |
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| 67 | 67 | | all those who have helped further the sport's stature in the state. |
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