PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The ninth and 10th cycles of PGA Growth of the Game grants totaling $63,438 has been awarded from The PGA of America's Growth of the Game Grant program. The programs, which touch nine states, involve juniors, inner-city young adults, at-risk students, college students and the physically challenged. The program highlights The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Golf Professionals to grow participation in golf.

These funds combine with grants awarded from 2001 through this month bring the total donation from The PGA Growth of the Game Grant Program to more than $4.9 million for a combined 458 grants.

The PGA Growth of the Game grants have touched virtually every level of society and individual of all abilities – from programs for U.S. troops and their families; the physically challenged, Native Americans, Hispanics, African-Americans, seniors, women, Golf In Schools, Police Athletic League, collegiate-based Golf: For Business & Life programs and junior programs.

"Through 10 cycles, The PGA's Growth of the Game grants continue to touch all segments of our society," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The PGA of America is proud of this program for its ability to connect so many communities. These grants have supported multiple golf programs as well as added to the enjoyment of a game that otherwise may not have been possible for so many."

The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation, which was established in 1954 as the Association's charitable arm to provide resources and professional expertise to make golf more accessible to all segments of the population. The PGA Foundation receives donations from PGA members and apprentices, families of PGA members, philanthropists and individuals to further its philanthropic goals.

For more on The PGA Growth of the Game grant program, the PGA Legacy Society and the PGA Planned Giving Program, visit www.pgafoundation.org, or contact 1-888-532-6662.

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

-- Growth of The Game Grants Follow --
Cycle 9
Junior Golf Foundation of America - West Palm Beach, Fla. - $15,135
Chickasaw Nation Boys & Girls Club Junior Golf - Sulphur, Okla. - $9,750

CHICKASAW NATION BOYS & GIRLS CLUB JUNIOR GOLF
Location: Sulphur, Okla.
PGA Section: South Central
PGA Professional: Mike Hammond, PGA
Program Director: Toni Pace
Grant Amount: $9,750
The mission of Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc. is to promote and enhance the character development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and power through life enhancing programs. The youth in the Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc. are six through 18 years old and are primarily Native American, Caucasian and African American.

JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
Location: West Palm Beach, Fla.
PGA Section: Florida
PGA Professional: Mark Mayette, PGA
Program Director: Mark Mayette, PGA
Grant Amount: $15,135
"Linkers on the Links" is a five level junior golf program designed to progress students from tee line instruction to on-course training and competition. A well organized curriculum, coupled with established criteria for advancement allows children of all ages and abilities to develop at their own pace.

Cycle 10
Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, Calif. - $1,575
Clanzel T. Brown Golf Park - Jacksonville, Fla. - $10,000
PGA Boys Medalist Program - Rockford, Ill. - $3,645
CHADD Youth Golf Initiative - Landover, Md. - $2,100
Asher Golf Program - Southgate, Mich. - $7,000
Golf for Kids New Mexico, Inc. - Rowe, N.M. - $7,753
4-H Golf Program of Westchester County - New Rochelle, N.Y. - $2,400
Sam Houston State University G:FBL – PGM - Huntsville, Texas - $4,080

4-H GOLF PROGRAM OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY
Location: New Rochelle, N.Y.
PGA Section: Metropolitan
PGA Professional: TBD
Program Director: Sandra Antonioli
Grant Amount: $2,400
4-H youth and family development was established in 1914. This will be the first time a golf component will be added. This program will consist of 24 junior high school students, ages 12-15 years from New Rochelle, NY area, attending public school. New Rochelle is an urban community challenged by gang violence, high poverty and a high percentage of new immigrants.

ASHER GOLF PROGRAM
Location: Southgate, Mich.
PGA Section: Michigan
PGA Professional: David Corrado, PGA
Program Director: Ruth Kemp
Grant Amount: $7,000
Southgate Adult and Community Education's Advantage Academy is an alternative high school that was developed to meet the needs of at-risk students ages 16-19 who had not been successful in traditional high school. Has grown from 25 students to 310 students. The golf program was added in 2006.

CHADD YOUTH GOLF INITIATIVE
Location: Landover, Md.
PGA Section: Middle Atlantic
PGA Professional: Jim Estes, PGA
Program Director: Laura DeShano
Grant Amount: $2,100
CHADD is Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This is a neurobiological disorder effecting 4.4 million children (2006 statistics). The CHADD Golf Tournament and charity educational event has been in existence since 2001. The CHADD Youth Golf Initiative is an offshoot of that program and is in its inaugural year. Approximately 30 children with the condition will be reached by the Baltimore – area organization.

GOLF FOR KIDS NEW MEXICO, INC.
Location: Rowe, N.M.
PGA Section: Sun Country
PGA Professional: Don Symington, PGA
Program Director: Don Symington, PGA
Grant Amount: $7,753
A collaboration with the Santa Fe Indian School working with Native Americans, Hispanic (majority), Anglo juniors, both boys and girls, middle and high school. This program projects to reach nearly 200 participants in and around Santa Fe. They hope to incorporate these students into the core programs held at the golf course within the next year.

PGA BOYS MEDALIST PROGRAM
Location: Rockford, Ill.
PGA Section: Illinois
PGA Professional: Steven D. Moore, PGA
Program Director: Nancy Joan Kauzlarich
Grant Amount: $3,645
Rockford Park District has run a successful LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program in the past and currently has a girl's league program. They are offering the same now for the boys. Instruction is 1 hour and 45 minutes each day (one day a week for 6 weeks) followed by lunch and then 3 hours and 30 minutes of supervised play. Four PGA Professionals will teach this program.

REHABILITATION INSTITUTE AT SANTA BARBARA – ADAPTED GOLF
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.
PGA Section: Southern California
PGA Professional: Lawrence Bucker, PGA
Program Director: Tom Reeg
Grant Amount: $1,575
This adaptive golf program operates thru the Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara – Adapted Golf is a Therapeutic Recreation Program that provides instruction and adapted equipment to people with disabilities to learn or re-learn the game of golf. The program includes weekly instruction sessions, adapted golf clinics for teaching professionals, and a yearly tournament.

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY G:FBL PROGRAM – PGM
Location: Huntsville, Texas
PGA Section: Southern Texas
PGA Professional: Nate Nye, PGA
Program Director: Richard Ballinger
Grant Amount: $4,080
The Sam Houston State University PGA/PGM Program was accredited in 2005 as the 17th program in the United States. Golf: For Business and Life is a PGA of America college initiative designed to teach and improve the golf skills of students through instruction provided by PGA Professionals, and to suggest ways in which the students can use golf as a business tool as they enter the professional world.

CLANZEL T. BROWN GOLF PARK
Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
PGA Section: North Florida
PGA Professional: Kimberly Lawlor, PGA
Program Director: M.G. Orender, PGA
Grant Amount: $10,000
This is a nine-hole golf course in an urban park in an economically deprived area which will be promoted for use with SNAG golf equipment. There is government housing in the area and it is one of the two "Mayors Seeds of Change" neighborhoods in Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department will provide golf lessons using PGA instructors.