The CSGA, as an association of member clubs, has a responsibility to monitor proposed legislation on a national and state level that could have positive or negative effects on our members and the golfers they serve. CSGA representatives offer expert testimony and regularly attend hearings and legislative sessions on issues of interest to golf course operators.  To assist in these efforts and to remain well informed on a range of issues, the CSGA employs the services of lobbying group Capitol Consulting, Inc.  These services funded by the CSGA are available at no additional cost to Connecticut's Golf Course Superintendents, Course Owners, PGA Section and other parties within Connecticut's golf industry.

Current topics (General Assembly Short Session 2020):

Proposed legislation related to the pesticide, chlorpyrifos (trade name - Dursban) and the herbicide, glyphosate (Roundup) are currently under consideration before the State Legislature's Environment Committee. Dursban has historically been used to eliminate plant destroying insects such as weevils.  Roundup is used on unwanted vegetation such as poison ivy.

Other topics such as labor relations that may be directed primarily toward other industries (farming, landscaping, parks and recreation) continue to be monitored as they may also affect aspects of Connecticut's golf industry.

Historical information about CSGA efforts related to Government Relations:

In 2019 the CSGA successfully lobbied against proposed legisation that would have added sales tax assessments to greens fees, golf lessons and range balls. The effort prevented an estimated $10 million in additional costs that would have been borne by individual golfers or absorbed by Connecticut's golf facilitiies.  Also in 2019, the CSGA and the CAGCS lobbied and submitted testimony against proposed legislation that would have overidden the authority of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to maintain uniform pesticide standards in Connecticut. Thanks in part to these efforts, the proposed legislation failed to advance out of committee.

In 2015 the CSGA led a successful effort at the State Capitol to prevent an additional $14 million in taxes being levied upon various components of Connecticut's golf industry.

In 2010 the CSGA coordinated and published an Economic Impact Study on the golf industry in Connecticut which has served as a guide to the golf industry's important role in the state's overall economy.

CLICK HERE to view the press release

CLICK HERE to read the 4-page Executive Summary

CLICK HERE for the full report

The CSGA's government relations work is one of many services made possible by the annual dues of our member clubs and individual members.