FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reston Citizens
Association hosts meeting with We Are Golf Executive Director Steve Mona ahead
of National Golf Day
May 7, 2019 – Representatives from WE ARE GOLF, a coalition of golf’s
leading organizations, converged in Washington, DC last week to celebrate
National Golf Day and the many benefits that golf contributes to communities
and individuals. Prior to the National Golf Day celebration, Executive Director
Steve Mona met with representatives from Reston Citizens Association, Rescue
Reston and Reston Association to discuss the vibrance of golf in Reston’s
community and the unprecedented attacks by developers that our two golf courses
are facing.
Connie Hartke, President of Rescue Reston provided an
overview of Rescue Reston’s success to date in fending off attempts to develop
Reston National (the south course), citing community efforts that extend beyond
Reston for this very popular public course. Rescue Reston’s co-founder John
Pinkman described the early days of mobilizing this grassroots campaign. Ms.
Hartke shared recent collaboration with Bardmoor
Golf & Tennis Club in Pinellas County, Florida. That community is fighting
a battle with the same developer who wants to put housing on Hidden Creek
(Reston’s north course.)
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| (L-R: John Pinkman, Connie Hartke, Robin Hogan, Steve Mona, Dennis Hays, Lynne Mulston, Julie Bitzer.) |
Steve Mona shared ideas for growing the
game in the Reston community and offered to share important research that busts
the myth that golf is a dying sport. “The golf industry impacts 2 million jobs
in the U.S. and total wage income of $55.6 billion, and is larger than the performing
arts and spectator sports industries. Golf facilities provide a vital community
service in offering a place to recreate and socialize, serving as a hub of
community social interaction. A golf
course is a healthy natural environment. Nearly 15,000 U.S. golf facilities
provide communities with 2 million acres of green space.”
Lynne Mulston, Chair of Rescue Reston’s North Course
Committee, shared the rich history of golf in Reston and the importance that
both golf courses play in supporting local high school golf teams from South
Lakes and McLean High Schools. Ms. Mulston previously served as Coach of the
South Lakes Girls’ Golf Team. This August 12, Hidden Creek will host the Annual
George Pavlis Memorial Golf tournament for 18-20 High School golf
teams competing from Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Arlington Counties.
About National Golf Day
Coordinated by a coalition of the game’s leading
associations and industry partners under the banner of WE ARE GOLF, National Golf Day brings together
more than 275 industry leaders from across the U.S. to support the game’s $84.1
billion economy, nearly $4 billion annual charitable impact, close to 15,000
diverse businesses and two million jobs impacted.
About Reston Citizens Association
Reston Citizens Association (RCA) is the only
community-wide, non-partisan, and action-oriented organization in which
everyone who lives, works and plays in Reston has a voice. RCA's mission is to
promote Reston’s vision and planning principles and to sustain and enhance our
quality of life now and in the future, by serving as a non-partisan,
action-oriented organization for all Restonians. RCA serves as the
umbrella organization for Rescue Reston (focused on preserving Reston’s two
golf course open spaces) and the Reston Accessibility Committee (partnering with
businesses to improve access for persons with mobility impairments).
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Media Inquiries: Lynne Mulston, Vice President, Reston
Citizens Association (703) 662-1687
