PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- PGA Section Leaders, PGA Professionals and employers nationwide will be able to share "best practices" in player development at the inaugural Play Golf America Conference, on Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, in conjunction with the 53rd PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

The PGA's Play Golf America Council has encouraged the Association to continue to identify and collect best practices for player development and distribute the results to all PGA Professionals and employers. The conference will feature presentations, along with PGA President's Council members, who will highlight some of the most successful best practices and present all attendees with an opportunity to share ideas.

"The Play Golf America Conference is our Association's best networking opportunity to extend invaluable idea sharing from our members and Section Leaders to a workshop that incorporates the industry's largest gathering of PGA Professionals," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "This conference will go far to support the evolution of the program by reviewing accomplishments that are of vital interest to all PGA Professionals and their employers."

Begun in January 2004, Play Golf America's goal is 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 focuses on the adult population of families, couples, women and business professionals. Play Golf America is supported by the National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, LPGA, USGA and GOLF 20/20.

Play Golf America is an industry-wide national marketing campaign developed and led by The PGA of America to increase participation among new and existing golfers and to grow the number of people who play the game. Play Golf America's campaign is focused on offering a variety of adult player development programs to connect consumers with local programs and more affordable playing opportunities through the national consumer Web site www.playgolfamerica.com.

The conference is scheduled from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. EST, in the Orange County Convention Center. There is no admission charge.

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.