In front of an audience of 250, the trio presented research focusing on the ways in which golf is affecting the economic structure of their respective nations as well as other parts of the globe such as the Asia Pacific region where a golf boom has been taking place since the start of the 21^st century. There are currently 6,000 golf courses in the region and more than six million golfers. China alone has seen a 40% growth rate in golf course construction and it is anticipated that the country could challenge the golf economies of Europe and the USA in the next decade.

According to Mr Steranka, the US golf economy totals $62.2 billion annually, with 25 million golfers spending an average of $2,400 per person every year. A typical course hosts an estimated 33,300 rounds, employing an average of 17 people on a full-time basis.

Europe’s golf economy features more than 6,300 golf courses that contribute an estimated $19.9 billion to the European economy. The region has an estimated 4.1 million golfers with an average yearly spend of $4,846 per person.

The Australian Golf Industry Economic Report found that the country’s golf economy totalled $2.2 billion, and is home to 1.25 million golfers who play at 1,700 different courses. The average Australian golfer spends $1,700 per year.

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organisation, comprising 28,000 golf professionals who help to teach and manage the game across its 41 PGA Sections nationwide.

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