PGA Professionals from throughout South Florida offered free lessons to golfers of all skill levels at a Play Golf America event during the Ford Championship at Doral. Play Golf America is an initiative designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult golfers.

Not only did Tiger Woods energize South Florida golf fans for a second straight year with a victory in last week's Ford Championship at Doral, but many spectators also got into the swing.

Throughout the Championship week in Miami, a team of six PGA Professionals, including five from the host South Florida PGA Section, gave 256 free 10- to 15-minute lessons during a Play Golf America event.

PGA Professionals Rodney Bungartz and Shawn Burke offered lessons to both kids and adults during a Play Golf America event at the Ford Championship at Doral.

The free lessons, conducted March 2-5, 2006, were part of The PGA of America's ongoing Play Golf America program to encourage participation in golf. The Play Golf America event was located in the "Ford Fan Zone" at Doral, an area filled with activities for the family. The event attracted golfers with a desire to return to the game as well as aspiring players, the primary focus groups of the Play Golf America initiative.

"When I took the position of Growth of the Game chairman, I knew how important it would be to introduce golf to the masses and the Ford Championship at Doral was a great venue to do just that," said Larry Gantzer, PGA head professional of the Naples (Fla.) Beach Hotel & Golf Club. "It was so great to see all of the kids and interested golfers come out for the lessons. There were people with all types of skill levels and backgrounds that wanted lessons – from those who had never played before to those who had gotten away from golf for awhile and wanted to come back. It was an amazing thing to be a part of.

"I want to thank all those who helped make this Play Golf America initiative happen – Geoff Lofstead, South Florida PGA Director of Operations; the PGA Professional instructors; Michael Wallace, consultant for the South Florida Golf Foundation; Executive Director Eddie Carbone of the Ford Championship and all of the golfers who came out to both watch and play golf over the weekend. It was an amazing experience."

Participating PGA Professionals included: Rodney Bungartz, Mike Calbot Golf Studio, Fort Myers, Fla.; Shawn Burke, Redstick Golf Club, Vero Beach, Fla.; Rob Gardner, Northeast Harbor (Maine) Golf Club; Gantzer; Scott Jones, Calusa Country Club, Miami; Larry Levow, Country Club of Miami; and PGA apprentice Professional Paul Fletcher of the Country Club of Coral Springs, Fla.

Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult golfers, was developed in 2004 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 Web site www.playgolfamerica.com to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, 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.