Montgomery, AL – A new study says golf is big business in Alabama.
A new report released Friday by the Alabama Tourism Department says the state's 252 golf facilities, including the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, help generate $437.5 million annually for the tourism and hospitality industry.
The report by SRI International says golf's total impact on the state was nearly $1.5 billion in 2010 when tournaments, real estate and course operations are factored in.
State tourism director Lee Sentell says this was the first attempt to gauge the economic impact of golf in the state. His agency helped fund the $25,000 report.
The 26-course, 11-site Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center rank as the top tourism draws. Both report about 500,000 visitors a year.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)