DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dec. 27, 2004 – LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, a developmental junior golf program for girls ages 7-17 and the only national initiative of its kind, added a record 55 new sites in 2004, bringing the national total to an all-time high of 181 sites. Membership also increased in the last year, pushing the number of girls involved to nearly 4,300.

The program represents an opportunity for girls to make lasting friendships, gain self-confidence, learn to compete and have fun, while fostering a lifetime enjoyment of the game. It is organized and implemented through a partnership between the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is administered from LPGA Headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fla.

"Simple, successful and fun is the formula for engaging girls in golf, for what we hope will be a lifetime," said Dr. Betsy Clark, LPGA vice president of professional development. "To fuel the pipeline for the future of girls' and women's golf, you have to start by giving as many girls as possible the opportunity to learn the game."

For more information about participating in your local LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program, establishing a site in your area, or how to contribute to The LPGA Foundation, contact LPGA headquarters at 386.274.6200 or visit www.LPGA.com.

Source: LPGA