PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Play Golf America, The PGA of America's growth of the game initiative that focuses on adult player development and garners industry-wide support, led an award-winning year for the Association as the recipient of eight awards from competitions in the communications and marketing industries.
Begun in 2004, Play Golf America garnered the Gold Magellan Award, presented by the League of American Communications Professionals for Communications Organizations. The program was also a first-place selection as Golf Industry Promoter of the Year by BoardRoom Magazine.
MarCom Creative Awards presented Play Golf America its highest honor, the Platinum Award, from an international competition that featured 4,613 entries. The Award in the marketing/promotion/special event category was judged by industry professionals that determined entries exceeded a high standard of excellence and served as an industry benchmark.
The PGA of America also collected honors for CareerLinks, the Association's employment-referral service, along with the recognition for The PGA Golf Club and for the publication of its Annual Report.
CareerLinks, which identifies qualified PGA Professionals for industry employers, earned a fourth consecutive BoardRoom Magazine Excellence in Achievement Award as the 2004 Association Program of the Year.
PGA Golf Club's North Course was named to the 2005 Top 50 Best Courses for Women, as selected by a panel for Golf For Women magazine. The magazine's panel rated the Top 50 public and resort courses in the United States.
The PGA of America's Annual Report earned an Award of Distinction and Honorable Mention in the 2005 Communications Awards in the Annual Report/Association category.
Play Golf America also received honorable mention in the PR News Platinum PR Awards competition in the Marketing Communications category.
The 2005 Communications Awards presented four additional honors to Play Golf America: an Award of Distinction for Web site and Overall Site, and three Crystal Awards of Excellence - in Publicity/Newspaper Placement; Publicity/Television Placement; and in Marketing/Promotion/Campaign.
"The PGA of America takes great pride in our programs and facilities receiving national recognition, and we are especially pleased that Play Golf America has galvanized the industry for its potential in bringing more and more men and women back to the game," said Roger Warren, president, The PGA of America. "Our Association is proud that its programs continue to recognized by communications professionals."
In 2004, The PGA of America launched a comprehensive package of growth of the game programs under the banner of Play Golf Americaä, which focuses on adult player development. This initiative is supported by the industry's Allied organizations - the PGA Tour, LPGA, USGA, and NCGOA - which participate in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference.
Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult 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.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2006, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and 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.
