PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Due to the overwhelming success of American Express Women’s Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine over the past three years, organizers of the event have extended the promotion to an entire month beginning in 2008 (June).

In its third year (2007), a record 1,358 facilities across the country hosted American Express Women’s Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine June 2-9, breaking its previous facility record by 132 percent. More than 34,200 women participated in American Express Women’s Golf Week, a 39 percent increase from last year (complete program statistics below). Joining title sponsor American Express were presenting sponsor Golf For Women magazine and silver sponsor Cobra Golf. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) members Laura Diaz and Suzy Whaley, who is also a PGA Professional, served as spokespersons for the program.

“Thanks to the PGA and LPGA Professionals, golf course owners, and sponsors, more than 68,000 women across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game of golf over the past three years during American Express Women’s Golf Week,” said Trish Davis, EWGA chief operating officer and spokesperson for the Women’s Golf Week organizers.
“Extending the program to the entire month of June is a natural progression to encourage facilities to enhance participation in the game,” Davis added. “This gives host facilities the flexibility to offer a variety of women’s activities and programs at its convenience throughout June.”

Of the 34,200 women who attended Women’s Golf Week events in 2007, 50 percent were new to the promotion and 31 percent were new golfers. The event also had a positive economic impact for both the host facilities and golf industry. Host facilities reported a median of $2,150 in revenues generated from women following their participation in Women’s Golf Week, while the golf industry realized a financial impact of $2 million dollars.

American Express Women’s Golf Month (June, 2008) will provide women the opportunity to learn, re-learn and play golf in a women-friendly environment. Participating host golf facilities will again be asked to offer complimentary golf instruction to women 14 years of age and older, during the month of June. Optional activities may include networking receptions, golf rules and etiquette seminars, club fitting and equipment demonstrations, golf apparel fashion shows, luncheons, playing experiences and contests with the focus being on fun.

American Express Women’s Golf Week Statistics from 2005-2007
Year Facilities Increase from previous year Women Participating Increase from previous year
2005 225 n/a 9,500 n/a
2006 585 160 percent 24,570 110 percent
2007 1,358 132 percent 34,200 39 percent

Women’s Golf Week was originally developed in response to input from golf industry leaders at the 2004 GOLF 20/20 Conference and is part of the Play Golf America campaign, the golf industry’s premier search engine for accessing information on player development programs for adults, women and families nationwide.

After advancing the program for two years, GOLF 20/20 handed over management responsibility for Women’s Golf Week to the LPGA, The PGA of America, the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA), and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), with ongoing support from other leading organizations in golf including the PGA TOUR, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).

About the Lead Organizations:
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA’s membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2007 features 35 events, with total prize money of nearly $55 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $180 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world’s pre-eminent women’s professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. In addition to the LPGA Tour members, the LPGA membership includes nearly 1,200 certified Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) who serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions. The LPGA T&CP member programs focus on increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.

Since the EWGA started in 1991, more than 85,000 women have benefited from membership in the organization which is dedicated to providing opportunities to learn, play, and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. There are currently 124 chapters throughout the United States including two in Canada and one in France. The chapters provide a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers. For more information about the EWGA and its membership, visit www.ewga.com.

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. Visit www.pga.com or www.PlayGolfAmerica.com to learn more.

The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org or www.getlinkedplaygolf.com.

About the 2007 Sponsors:
American Express Establishment Services is the merchant network of American Express which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants that welcome the American Express Card around the globe. American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.

About Golf For Women magazine:
Golf For Women is the ultimate destination magazine for women who embrace the game and the sophisticated lifestyle of golf. It engages the passion women bring to all aspects of the sport—from instruction and equipment to fashion, beauty and travel—and is dedicated to enhancing women’s enjoyment of the golf lifestyle.

About Cobra Golf:
Cobra Golf is a recognized leader in the golf industry and is committed to providing equipment of superior performance and quality for both serious and recreational golfers. Cobra offers products with a competitive performance advantage and the functionality that golfers seek through innovative technology and design. Cobra Golf is a major brand of the Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO).

Media Contacts: Jamie Carbone (jacrbone@pgahq.com); Tammy Boclair (tammy@aldaycommunications.com); Dana Gross-Rhode, LPGA (dana.grossrhode@lpga.com)
Carbone Phone: 561-624-8446
Boclair Phone: 615-791-1535, x26
Gross-Rhode Phone: 386-274-6273