PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- After another record-setting year in 2007 with more than 8.3 million consumers participating in Play Golf America programs, leagues and outings, PGA Professionals across the country are gearing up for another successful year with a full slate of Play Golf America promotions in 2008.

This industry player-development program, which was launched in 2004, continues to grow with more new programs added to its calendar of events, including national promotions and year-round events. Beginning its fifth year, Play Golf America continues to give everyone, regardless of age or skill level, the opportunity to learn or re-learn the game of golf with free and affordable programs.

“The PGA of America and our PGA Professionals are dedicated to showcase the game of golf to people of all ages and skill levels by creating and hosting numerous Play Golf America programs at facilities nationwide,” PGA of America Brian Whitcomb said. “More than 4,400 facilities registered and posted Play Golf America events on the Play Golf America Web site last year and we will continue to work hard to see record numbers across the board again in 2008.”

2008 PGA Play Golf America National Promotions Include:

• April -– PGA Free Fitting & Trade Up Month – “Trade-Up to More Distance”
Throughout the month of April, PGA Professionals across the country will provide free 15-minute expert equipment fitting sessions at participating facilities. The PGA of America teams with Golf Digest, the PGA Trade-In Network and the PGA.com Value Guide to sponsor this equipment-themed consumer promotion. More than 3,100 PGA Professionals, a 15-percent increase from 2006, helped 36,300 consumers find the appropriate equipment to help them play a better game of golf and have more fun through the use of properly fitted and most current equipment.

• May – PGA Free Lesson Month
Celebrating its 11th anniversary, PGA Free Lesson Month is designed to reach new golfers and help existing golfers improve their game with free, 10-minute golf lessons conducted by participating PGA Professionals nationwide throughout the month of May. Last year, a total of 115,500 free lessons were given by 6,630 PGA Professionals at 5,353 facilities across the country. PGA Free Lesson Month is a growth-of-the-game initiative between The PGA of America, Golf Digest, The Golf Channel, Golf For Women and Golf World.

• June – American Express™ Women’s Golf Month
Due to the overwhelming success of Women’s Golf Week over the past three years, Women’s Golf Week has been extended to Women’s Golf Month in 2008. Women’s Golf Month is aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and to make learning and playing golf fun in a women-friendly environment. Participating facilities nationwide offer complimentary golf instruction to women 14 years of age and older. Last year, a record of 34,200 women attended Women’s Golf Week events at a record 1,358 facilities across the country. More than 68,000 women nationwide have been introduced or re-introduced to the game of golf over the past three years during American Express Women’s Golf Week.

• July – Family Golf Month
Throughout the month of July, participating facilities will offer programs, including Family Golf Clinics and Family Golf Play Days for a nominal fee along with Kids Play Free promotions. These programs provide a structured, yet casual opportunity for families to learn and play the game of golf together and promote golf as a regular family recreation activity for all participants. In its second year, more than 1,000 facilities hosted Family Golf Month events, an 823 percent increase from 2006 (120 facilities).

• July 7-13 – Take Your Daughter to the Course Week
The PGA of America teams with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) to promote “Take Your Daughter to the Course Week” during Family Golf Month. This is the third year the program is promoted under the Play Golf America marketing umbrella, and the program’s ninth year overall. A total of 1,339 facilities participated in the promotion, an eight percent increase from 2006, with 84,500 consumers participating, a 13 percent increase from last year. Of the 84,500 who attended the promotion, 38 percent were new customers and 29 percent were new or beginner golfers. Take Your Daughter to the Course Week is designed to introduce young girls to the game of golf and encourage family interaction on the course. Participating golf courses nationwide will offer a free clinic for young ladies throughout the week and will also offer complimentary green fees to a young lady accompanied by a paying adult.

• July – Bring Your Kids to the Range
Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range, a Golf Digest Publications and Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) initiative promoted under July is Family Golf Month, is in its second year. In its inaugural year, 177 facilities participated in the program.

• August 29 – September 1 – Patriot Golf Day
Patriot Golf Day, jointly supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association, is scheduled for Aug. 29 – Sept. 1. The inaugural event, inspired by Capt. Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional and USGA member from Broken Arrow, Okla., was held at over 3,200 facilities in 2007 raising more than $1.1 million to support the families of veterans who have been injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

** YEAR-ROUND PLAY GOLF AMERICA EVENTS **

• Learn to Play Golf America ** New Program **
“Learn to Play Golf America!” is a new national promotion created to bring new golfers into the game, bring former golfers back to the game, and increase the play of occasional golfers. Utilizing proven curriculum such as PGA First Swing and Link Up 2 Golf Participating PGA Professionals will coordinate introductory programs which include a free “Welcome to Golf” orientation, a series of group lessons and on-course playing experiences.

• PGA Play Golf America Days
PGA Play Golf America Days are events held nationwide where golfers of all ages and skill levels receive complimentary group and individual instruction from PGA Professional instructors. PGA Play Golf America Days also offer contests, entertainment and hands-on equipment demonstrations from leading manufacturers. Driving range, short game and putting areas allow consumers to test equipment, while registration areas are dedicated to introducing golfers and non-golfers to Play Golf America programs. Currently, 21 PGA Sections have scheduled a total of 44 events. The PGA projects that all 41 Sections will have at least one PGA Play Golf America Day event in 2008. A record total of 79 PGA Play Golf America Days were held in 2007 (51 in 2006) with a record 27,472 consumers attending the events, up 44 percent from 2006 (19,025). Over 1,000 PGA Professionals, an average of 13 per event, were on hand to give instruction.

• PGA Family Course ** New Program **
The PGA Family Course Pilot Program was launched last August at facilities nationwide in partnership with U.S. Kids Golf and their Personal Tee Program. PGA Family Course programs create a “short course” experience within any existing course, making golf more fun, enjoyable and playable for golfers of any age or ability. By the end of 2007, more than 300 golf courses participated in the program.

• American Express™/PGA Friend of a Cardmember – ** New Program **
The PGA of America has partnered with American Express for this new promotion held throughout the year with participating PGA Professionals. American Express Cardmembers, who book and pay for a private lesson using their American Express card®, can bring a friend with them to receive a lesson also from a PGA Professional at no additional cost.

• 2008 PGA McGladrey Team Championship – Oct. 20-22, Pinehurst Resort (N.C.)
The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is a nationwide amateur championship managed by The PGA of America with support from RSM McGladrey – “The Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting Firm of The PGA of America.” The inaugural National Championship was held Sept. 10-12, 2007, at Pinehurst Resort (NC). The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is a grass-roots best-ball amateur championship which was created to provide a fun, competitive and professionally managed event to as many amateur participants as possible. Teams of three amateurs compete in a best one net ball format at the local level. The winning team is then joined by the host PGA Professional and they compete as a foursome at the PGA Section Championship. The team that wins the Section Championship (two best net balls) advances to the National Championship where 41 teams play three rounds of two best net balls among four players.

One of the core principles of The PGA of America is that golf is truly a game for everyone, no matter what barriers may stand in their way. Play Golf America also promotes opportunities for individuals with disabilities to learn or re-learn how to play the game based on their disability. The Play Golf America Web site – www.PlayGolfAmerica.com - now offers links to stories and resources, including PGA Professionals who have experience in instructing individuals with disabilities.

Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and existing golfers, was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including: the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference. The program utilizes the www.PlayGolfAmerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.

Since 1916, the PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, the PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.