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Abstract
Between the fall of 2007 and the spring of 2008, 71 golf course superintendents
responded to a survey related to their immigrant employees and immigration policy
issues. The objective was to determine golf course superintendents’ concerns and
perspectives regarding labor availability, immigration policy and the immigrant
workforce. The survey was completed by golf course superintendents who manage
businesses that currently employ Hispanic workers. This was done intentionally to
identify concerns and attitudes of supervisors who already rely on Hispanic workers.
The survey provides a preliminary indication that golf course superintendents who
currently employ Hispanic workers tend to have a high percentage of Hispanic workers
on their staff. On average, survey participants reported that 72% of their workforce at the
peak of the season was Hispanic. More than 50% of those surveyed indicated that at least
80% of their workforce, at the peak of the season, was comprised of Hispanic
immigrants.
Issues relating to immigrant workers and immigration policy are important to the golf
course superintendents surveyed. Nearly 75% are concerned, quite concerned or very
concerned about accessing adequate labor supplies over the next three years. More than
80% are concerned, quite concerned or very concerned about immigration issues as they
relate to the golf course management profession. Survey participants also reported on the
perceived importance of specific immigration, reform options. Rated most important was
comprehensive immigration reform followed by achieving legal status or citizenship for
immigrant workers and an increase in the number of H-2B visas allowed.
The H-2B program offers a source of authorized, seasonal immigrant workers but only
13% of those surveyed had H-2B workers. Others expressed an interest in the program.
Golf course superintendents acknowledged the importance of the H-2B program and
commented on several needed improvements. They wanted to see the program
streamlined, made easier to use and made less expensive. They also wanted to see an
increase in the annual cap on the number of H-2B workers allowed into the program.
In response to an open ended question, golf course superintendents offered their opinions
regarding a solution to immigration issues facing their profession. Most of the
superintendents surveyed want to have government programs in place that will allow
them to hire legally authorized immigrant workers.