Insights, Accolades, and Interviews

Buffalo Toronto Public Media

Dec 7, 2025 Skin In The Game: Golf is more than a game. It’s an economic engine, a job creator, a tourism magnet, and a powerful steward of green space. In this episode, John and Tim unpack the findings of New York State’s new Golf Impact Study with guests Gina Rizzi and Tom Kaplan, revealing a side of the sport most people never think about.

0:00 - Intro

9:13 - Interview with Gina Rizzi and Tom Kaplan

10:00 - Connection Between New York State Golf Association and Radius Sports Group

16:15 - How Legislation Began to Reshape the Golf Industry?

25:20 - The Economic Impact that Golf has on New York State

27:30 - Golf Associations 'Want a Seat at the Table' - Tom Kaplan

34:00 - Answering the Question: 'Why Can't a Golf Entity Follow the Same Rules as a Homeowner?"

40:05 - The Narrative Around Sustainability of Golf Courses

47:00 - How We Can Continue to Grow the Game of Golf in New York State

51:00 - Final Comments from John and Tim

The conversation begins with the dollars-and-cents impact: how golf supports local economies, drives tourism in both Western New York and Southern Ontario, and sustains thousands of jobs across public and private courses. But the discussion quickly turns to a surprising and important theme: legislation. Gina and Tom break down how regulation, environmental policy, and rising operational costs are reshaping the golf industry, and why having a “seat at the table” in Albany is critical to protecting both courses and the golfers who rely on them.

Golf may look simply like a walk in the grass with a bag of clubs. But as this conversation shows, its impact runs far deeper.