SACRAMENTO, Calif.- After a week of rain, the sun emerged in time for an estimated 2,000 Californians to make their way to the Play Golf America Day held Friday, May 20 at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, Calif. Best described as a “fun and free” golf day spearheaded by the Northern California PGA, The PGA of America and other allied golf associations, the event attracted a crowd evenly balanced between first-time, want-to-be golfers and former players interested in returning to the sport.

Each new golfer was given a free golf club from Wilson Staff. Additionally, both new and returning golfers were able to receive a free lesson from one of the 40 PGA and LPGA teaching Professionals volunteering on-site.

“What amazed me was the number of folks who showed up eager to reacquaint themselves with golf,” said Chris Thomas, NCPGA executive director. “It’s as if they were waiting for an invitation to come back to the sport. And fortunately, we were able to provide a comfortable setting, so a reconnection could occur.”

In addition to free equipment and instruction, the day included short- and long-game clinics and an impressive exhibition from Vince Howell, Cobra Golf’s long-drive expert. There was a chance to demo the newest technology from a variety of industry sponsors on-site including: Nike, Ping, Cobra, Callaway, Wilson Staff, MacGregor Golf and Synca-Swing. Free stretching and warm-up exercises were provided by Katherine Roberts Total Fitness-Yoga for Golfers. Representatives from Body Balance for Performance provided range of motion, strength, and balance testing in conjunction with free biomechanical swing analysis. A SNAG hitting area staffed by The First Tee of Greater Sacramento was open to kids and beginning golfers.

The day had a “golf festival” feel to it, with plenty of literature for participants to pack home. Detailed information was available describing www.playgolfamerica.com, an industry-sponsored Web site that posts upcoming classes and clinics held at PGA-approved facilities across the nation. Free copies of the USGA Rules of Golf, golf magazines courtesy of the NCGA and Golfweek, and Ryder Cup books from the PGA of America were distributed to attendees. Reno-Lake Tahoe golf vacation planners were supplied by event supporter golfthehighsierra.com. Upon arrival, the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) along with the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) an allied event sponsor, greeted guests and provided membership material.

Free rounds of golf, lessons and equipment were given away throughout the day. The event was scheduled from 11 A.M. until 8 P.M. PDT, although many stayed long beyond the wrap-up hour.

“It became very clear to me that there is more interest in golf than meets the eye,” said Ken Morton Sr., director of golf at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. “Once the first-time golfers received a free Wilson club, most of them marched right over to the range to try it out. As our industry continues to discover new and innovative ways to open itself up to others through events like Play Golf America Day, we will, in turn, see new golfers attracted to our facilities.”

According to NCPGA Growth of the Game Director Carol Pence, the Northern California Section is divided into 12 Growth of the Game regions, with PGA volunteers in each area. The Play Golf America Day was staffed by PGA and LPGA teaching Professionals that traveled to Sacramento from a variety of regions in Northern California and Northwestern Nevada.

“Growing the game of golf is a top priority for our section,” stated NCPGA president Mike Mazzaferri. “Fortunately, we are experiencing success with this initiative, due to the inclusiveness component in our Growth of the Game master plan. Under the leadership of our Growth of the Game Chairman Ken Morton Sr., we recognized early on that it’s the unified efforts of many that fuel the success of Play Golf America.

“It not only takes the support of our PGA members and apprentices, but also owners and course superintendents, manufacturers and allied associations working together to drive success through this initiative.”

Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, a 36-hole facility owned by the City of Sacramento and managed by Morton Golf, with its 100-stall range, historic grille, award-winning super shop and staff, was well prepared to accommodate the crowd at Sacramento’s Play Golf America Day. The PGA of America, PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions and PGA Magazine have scheduled 11 similar events throughout the nation during 2005. Year-to-date, the attendance record at Sacramento’s Play Golf America Day has exceeded all other venues.

About Play Golf America

The Play Golf America campaign is a complete package of Growth-of-the-Game programs targeting the adult population of various segments, including couples, women, families and business professionals. Play Golf America's objectives are to reach 17 million golfers who have expressed a desire to play golf and the 14 million occasional golfers who play between one and seven times per year. In support of the campaign, The PGA of America has developed an industry-sponsored Web site, www.playgolfamerica.com, which serves as a link for citizens to access adult player development programs in their local communities that are of most interest to them. Programs featured on the Web site are designed to be fun, inclusive, affordable and informative, so that adults and their families can enjoy the game, and former golfers can increase the frequency of their participation in golf.

Led by The PGA of America, this industry initiative is supported by the National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, EWGA, The First Tee and GOLF 20/20. United in these efforts at the state and regional level are: The Northern California PGA, The Northern California Golf Association, The Northern California Golf Representatives Association, The Southern California PGA, The Southern California Golf Association, The California Golf Course Owners Association, The Northern California Golf Course Superintendents Association, the California Chapters of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, The Shivas Irons Society and The California Alliance for Golf.

In addition, NCPGA Growth of the Game supporters include: Page & Tuttle, Imperial Headwear, Ahead Headgear, Katherine Robert’s Total Fitness-Yoga for Golfers, Best Approach Publications, Body Balance for Performance, Joann Dost Photography, DivotMat, Wilson Staff, Maxfli, Bridgestone/Precept, Golf707, Golo Golf and Club Car.