PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Play Golf America's "PGA Free Lesson Month," a growth of the game initiative between The PGA of America, Golf Digest, The Golf Channel, and Golf Digest's sister publication, Golf For Women, shattered its own eight-year growth records by a 32 percent margin.

Free Lesson Month is designed to reach new golfers and help existing golfers improve their games with free, 10-minute golf lessons throughout the month of May. This year, 6,889 PGA Professionals from 5,572 facilities nationwide gave an estimated 122,160 free lessons to amateurs in every state. Nike Golf, the official program sponsor, provided sweepstake prizes to help promote the program.

Golf Digest devoted its May cover story to PGA Free Lesson Month and listed the participating PGA Professionals in the issue, while The Golf Channel dedicated its "Academy Live" program to the Free Lesson promotion, as part of "Your Game Night" on the network during May.

A survey of PGA Professionals participating in "Free Lesson Month" revealed:

* PGA Professionals gave an average of 17 lessons each, with each lesson lasting more than 18 minutes.

* A total of 36,890 hours were dedicated to free lessons.

* On average, 20 percent of golfers participating in this year's program were new or beginner players.

* PGA Professionals indicated that 56 percent of the free lessons they conducted were with new customers.

* Twenty-seven percent of those who attended this year's lesson program were women.

"The PGA of America is very pleased that its members have committed themselves in record numbers to supporting PGA Free Lesson Month," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "Across the nation, PGA Professionals have embraced this campaign that encourages growth in the game and a bond between consumers and their local PGA Professional. The PGA is most appreciative for the continued support from our partners, Golf Digest, Golf For Women, and The Golf Channel, as well as Nike Golf, to help make this program a success."

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. The campaign is designed to introduce people to the game of golf, enhance their skills and increase their frequency of play, by posting innovative programs available in the local area of the consumer on www.playgolfamerica.com.

Programs featured on www.playgolfamerica.com are designed to be fun, affordable and informative, so that adults and their families can enjoy the game, and former and occasional golfers can increase the frequency of their participation in golf.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.