"Our industry employs nearly 2 million Americans who want to help lawmakers do the difficult job they were elected to do. We want to be a resource, and we want a seat at the table."

An unbylined PGATour.com story reports on yesterday's "WE ARE GOLF" presentations for "dozens of Members of Congress" and day-long exhibit in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Founded by the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, The PGA of America, and the World Golf Foundation, WE ARE GOLF is a broad-based coalition aimed at maximizing the industry's synergy and reducing redundancy.

Is reducing redundancy a euphemism for closing courses?

I thought the inclusion of two golf course owners of flood damaged layouts--Jay Goughnour, owner of Raccoon Valley Golf Club and Dan Clark, owner of Willow Creek Golf Course--was a vital message to send to Congress about their efforts to exclude golf courses from disaster relief legislation.

"I don't seek pity," Goughnour said. "We're hearty people. We will overcome what Mother Nature has dealt us. What I do ask is that golf be given the same status as other small business. We deserve the same access to aid and recovery programs that other small businesses have received."

The presentation certainly sounds well thought out and executed, but I don't see any mention of check writing to our nation's hardworking servants? Is there any point to any of this without first buying their allegiance? Isn't that how you get "a seat at the table?"