PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Dec. 24, 2004 – To assist with the teaching of golf to people with disabilities, The PGA of America has developed the Challenge Golf CD. This PowerPoint CD and two manuals are available to PGA members and the general public to help promote golf to people who otherwise may not have the opportunity to swing a golf club.

"The Challenge Golf CD and manuals assist individuals in teaching the game of golf and making it a sport of a lifetime for individuals with disabilities," said Roger Warren, President of The PGA of America. "The PGA of America has always supported efforts to teach people with disabilities and for more than a decade has sponsored the Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament. This is another facet of our ongoing player development program to encourage people to play this great game."

The PGA of America, along with its members throughout the PGA's 41 geographical sections, have supported many programs for the disabled, including those conducted by the National Amputee Golf Association and Special Olympics International. Additionally, a PGA of America staff member has chaired a Golf Subcommittee under the National Recreation Access Advisory Committee to develop ADA guidelines for construction of new golf courses and alterations to existing courses to accommodate the disabled.

The Challenge Golf CD and manuals, sponsored by the PGA Foundation, include a PowerPoint CD with an instructor's manual that includes additional information to support the CD, and an operations manual. The Challenge Golf CD and manuals come under the Play Golf America umbrella, and are part of a series of guides geared to promote golf to everyone, everywhere. The other guides available are:

First Swing Golfers' Guide: This introductory guide was developed to help adult golfers improve their skills, game knowledge and proficiency. The guide is developmental in nature and features practice drills, how to play and a glossary of golf terms.

First Swing for Juniors: This 24-page booklet introduces the game of golf to juniors. It features photographs and illustrations covering the fundamentals of the game.

First Swing Professionals' Guide: This 70-page resource for golf professionals features information and illustrations on setting up classes, skill games and drills, exercise routines and sample lesson plans. This guide is designed for use with the First Swing Golfers' Guide and First Swing For Juniors.

Summary of the Rules of Golf: This illustrated manual covers the basic Rules of Golf, featuring more than 40 illustrations, and is a valuable part of any instructional program.

All publications are available for both PGA Professionals and the general public by visiting www.PGA.com, www.playgolfamerica.com or www.pgafoundation.com. PGA Professionals also may order copies by visiting www.PGALinks.com. PGA Professionals ordering the publications will receive a package containing materials to display at their respective golf facilities.

Mail orders may be made through the PGA Foundation, 1650 Bluegrass Lakes Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004-7714, or by phone at 1-800-PGA-3003 or (742-3003) or fax at (770)-442-9742.

The Play Golf America campaign is a complete package of growth-of-the-game programs targeting various segments, including families, couples, women, and business professionals. Led by The PGA of America, this industry initiative is supported by the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, National Golf Course Owners Association and GOLF 20/20. The campaign is designed to introduce people to the game of golf, enhance their skills and increase their frequency of play. The PGA of America developed an industry-sponsored web site, www.playgolfamerica.com, which serves as a link for consumers to access local adult player development programs.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

Source: The PGA