Government Relations – Southern California PGA

Visit the SCGA website below for current Public Affairs updates.

SCPGA GOLF ADVOCACY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Our Section members continue to demonstrate and prove their commitment to golf beyond the fairway by utilizing their time to meet with local, Congressional district offices.

24th Congressional District (Rep. Salud Carbajal)

Carl-Van Vallier, PGA (Buenaventura Golf Course) and Colby Hartje, PGA (Blacklake Golf Resort) met with Rep. Carbajal’s FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) caseworker to discuss the situation that has caused Buenaventura Golf Course to be closed for over a year and a half. Seeing a vacant plot of land that has not seen any business since January 2023 was eye-opening and raised a sense of urgency to get their offices involved in appropriating funds for the repairing of damages to reopen the golf course to the public. The caseworker is currently working on a multi-agency approach to resolve the golf facility’s issue.

35th Congressional District (Rep. Norma Torres)

Nikki Gatch, PGA (SCPGA Executive Director/CEO) and Tony Chavez, PGA (Los Serranos Country Club) hosted Congresswoman Torres at Los Serranos Country Club to further demonstrate how PGA HOPE rehabilitates military veterans. Tony and Brian Miano, PGA previously hosted district staff which piqued their interest to how golf is serving members of their community. Congresswoman Torres is a huge supporter of veterans and is encouraged by what PGA HOPE brings to them through the game of golf. The Southern California PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup Team and Section received Letters of Special Congressional Recognition for their accomplishment as the first to represent Southern California at the 7th annual event.

These meetings are a reflection of the SCPGA’s commitment to maneuvering golf in a world that many are unfamiliar. By building relationships with our elected officials we open doors to opportunities like the above two stories and opens a line of communication when their offices require to lean on subject matter experts in the golf industry. Since the rollout of the pilot program, we’ve had many Section Members reach out to be involved. We are encouraged by the intrigue and excitement to become engaged in advocacy.

If you are inspired by these stories or want to learn more, please reach out to: Matt Rogers, Foundation/Public Affairs Manager, mrogers@pgahq.com.