By Kate Moore
The game we love. We can take it for granted.
The expectation of manicured fairways, close-cut greens and raked bunkers. We expect to be able to buy a beer, rent a cart, get a hat, take a lesson. In most towns the golf course is the hub of the community.
The golf industry is unique in that it not only offers recreation and exercise, it offers food and beverage, retail shopping and social gatherings. But, it’s not that simple. Everything is regulated, permitted, credentialed or taxed. Because our industry is so diverse, it takes a real watchdog to make sure golfers can continue to have the amenities desired in an environment matched by none other.
Fifteen years ago, the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA) took on the job of being that watchdog – a mandate from the board of directors who knew Michigan’s golf courses needed to be 
protected. To solve the issue of funding a proactive government affairs enterprise the MGCA created the Golden Passbook to Michigan Golf in 2003. With 80 golf courses donating rounds to the book, it has become the financial mainstay for insuring the voice of Michigan golf business is heard at the state capitol and beyond.
When the Great Lakes Compact on water usage was passed, we were present in the process and ensured that the water rights of golf courses were protected. The MGCA formed the Michigan Golf Alliance with all of the golf associations in Michigan developing and managing the “Golf on the Lawn” capital day with the legislators. MGCA also worked with the business community to help pass Personal Property Tax reform so meaningful changes will occur on certain machinery and equipment.
Then MGCA successfully had golf courses exempted from the sales tax on services (essentially saving individual golfers a markup fee). The MGCA helps monitor and evaluate any changes to food and beverage laws, particularly as they apply to banquets and alcohol; and we ensured that after the smoking ban on restaurants was passed that golfers were still allowed to smoke while on the course in the great outdoors.
The Golden Passbook to Michigan Golf isn’t just another discount book. The generous contribution of rounds of golf from the participating golf courses insures that all golf courses throughout the State of Michigan are looked after. The Golden Passbook is the only discount book in Michigan that puts all proceeds back into the golf business.
Among the 80 courses in the Golden Passbook you will find incredible golf at Boyne, Treetops, Crystal Mountain and Shanty Creek. On the east side Fox Hills and The Majestic; the west look for Gull Lake View and Manistee National. And in central Michigan there’s Hawk Hollow among many, many others – and all at an incredible cost savings.
In the end it’s all about business. Keeping greens fees affordable for you the golfer is tied to every one of these initiatives. With the Golden Passbook the golf industry gets the word out to control regulations, taxation and more, making the golf course more affordable and user friendly for you – the one who loves this game.
