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