LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Oxmoor Country Club will host a fun-filled afternoon of free golf activities for women during the Ryder Cup Women's Play Golf America Day, Sept. 14 (Sunday), from 1-4 p.m. All women and accompanied children (under age 17) will receive free golf lessons from Kentucky PGA Section Professionals. There will also be family and kids programs, free golf gifts and free equipment demonstrations for those attending the event.
Leading PGA and LPGA Professionals will offer a series of clinics and golf lessons covering the short game, putting, full swing and "Welcome to Golf" information. Clinics will be held at 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Kim Shafer, PGA Director of Instruction at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville and the 2007 Kentucky PGA Teacher of the Year, will conduct the first clinic of the day at 1:30 p.m. Multi Teacher-of-the-Year recipient Krista Dunton, PGA/LPGA Director of Instruction at Berkley Hall in Bluffton, S.C., will host a clinic at 2:15 pm. Master PGA Professional Kevin Compare from Palm City, Fla., also known as "Divot the Clown," will perform the final clinic of the day at 3:00 p.m.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for women of all ages to experience the game of golf in an exciting and fun environment from the experts in the game," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "Participants will learn about the swing, the rules of golf, and even golf etiquette through instruction from leading PGA and LPGA professionals. It is a great way to start off the Ryder Cup Week."
Cobra, Callaway and TaylorMade will be onsite to provide hands-on equipment testing for attendees and will provide prizes for free giveaways held throughout the afternoon.
Women are encouraged to register at PlayGolfAmerica.com by entering their zip code and clicking on the Oxmoor Country Club page (http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?action=facility&facility=1101023).
As The PGA of America continues to diversify the game of golf, one of the primary target markets is women. Earlier this year, The PGA of America announced a busy schedule of women's golf initiatives, including grassroots player development programs, an online video series, an alliance with the WNBA, Play Golf America Days and special events in conjunction with major spectator championships, including the 37th Ryder Cup, to help grow this influential segment of golfers and bring more women to the game.
PGA of America research revealed that women accounted for 63 percent of all the new players to the game of golf through 2006, while the National Golf Foundation reported in 2007 that the total women players in the U.S. grew to 6.4 million, an eight percent growth since 2002, including 926,000 junior girls ages 6 to 17 and 5.5 million women ages 18-and-older.
Ryder Cup Women's Play Golf America Day Schedule – Sunday, Sept. 14 – 1-4 p.m. – Oxmoor Country Club:
1:00 p.m. - Ryder Cup Women's Play Golf America Day Begins
1:30 p.m. - 2007 Kentucky PGA Teacher of the Year Kim Shafer Clinic
2:15 p.m. - PGA/LPGA Professional and multi Teacher-of-the-Year recipient Krista Dunton Clinic
3:00 p.m. - Master PGA Professional Kevin Compare (Divot the Clown) Clinic
Created to showcase the game of golf in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, PGA Play Golf America Days are presented by The PGA of America with presenting sponsors American Express®, Buick and The Royal Bank of Scotland. The event is designed to provide free expert instruction to golfers of all ages and skill levels, introduce new golfers to the game and provide equipment testing from the best brands in golf today.
Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and existing 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 PlayGolfAmerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.
The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
