PGA Professionals have stepped up to the lesson tee in record numbers, breaking records for participation and facilities in the eighth-annual PGA Free Lesson Month, which is part of the Play Golf America industry-wide campaign to grow golf participation and led by The PGA of America.

Participation reports as of April 18 indicated that 6,759 PGA Professionals from every state have committed to offer free 10-minute golf lessons throughout May to any amateur, as part of the campaign. This represents a 36 percent increase from 2004, when 4,985 PGA Professionals registered at 4,264 facilities. Currently, there are 5,504 facilities registered in the campaign, with PGA Professionals offering 33,417 hours of free lessons.

The initiative is a partnership between The PGA of America, Golf Digest, Golf For Women and The Golf Channel. Nike Golf is the official sponsor.

Established in 1998 by The PGA of America and Golf Digest, PGA Free Lesson Month is one of the most successful growth-of-the-game campaigns in the golf industry and is designed to help amateur golfers improve, as well as attract, new players to the game.

"PGA Free Lesson Month is a reflection of the commitment of PGA Professionals, the leaders in growing the game of golf," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "It is gratifying to see that we have surpassed last year's previous record and have connected more golfers with their local PGA Professional, the best teachers in the game."

The Golf Digest Companies are utilizing its three leading publications, including Golf Digest, Golf Worldand Golf For Women, to promote PGA Free Lesson month to a combined audience of nearly 10 million readers. Golf Digest will provide editorial coverage on PGA Free Lesson Month in its May issue and will feature a roster of participating PGA Professionals who are at public facilities. The May issue will include an insert sweepstakes card, giving readers a convenient way to sign up for a free lesson as well as register to win a golf getaway vacation. In addition, PGA Free Lesson Month will be featured in Golf For Women's May/June issue, Golf World's April 9 issue and promoted on www.golfdigest.com.

The Golf Channel, in its third year as a partner, will dedicate May as PGA Free Lesson Month on its instructional golf show, "Academy Live," which will air Mondays as part of the network's "Your Game Night." Four specialty shows will feature PGA of America golf professionals communicating the message of the program to nearly 70 million viewers. In addition, The Golf Channel will promote the program on-air in their nightly news program, "Golf Central" and online at www.TheGolfChannel.com.

Every golfer who takes a free lesson and sends in a Free Lesson Card, will be entered with his or her PGA Professional for a chance to win Nike Golf's Grand Prize sweepstakes package that includes a three-day getaway vacation to Orlando, Fla.; an appearance on The Golf Channel with a Nike Instructor; a round of golf; a custom-fit set of Nike Golf clubs; and Nike Golf footwear and apparel. The sweepstakes winners will include an amateur golfer and the PGA Professional who conducted the lesson, along with the PGA Professional who conducts the most free lessons.

One hundred second place finishers will receive a PGA First Swings Guide and either a dozen Nike Mojo golf balls or a Golf Digest "Breaking 100-90-80" book.

PGA Free Lesson Month is one of several programs designed to grow and stimulate participation in the game of golf under "Play Golf America," a national marketing umbrella campaign that is supported by the golf industry. All participating PGA Professionals in the Free Lesson campaign can be found on the industry supported Web site www.playgolfamerica.com.

PGA members can register through pgalinks.com or by calling the PGA Member Information Service Center at: (800) 474-2776.