PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Efforts to grow the popularity of golf among women are paying off big for the game. Figures show a 9.2 percent increase from last year in participation of American Express Women's Golf Month activities in 2008, generating a projected $2.7 million in new revenues to the golf industry.
Program coordinators reported a combined median spend of $3,320 per facility by consumers after participating in Women's Golf Month activities. Organizers of the event estimate the month-long promotion had a positive economic impact on the golf industry of $4.7 million over the last two years.
Due to the success and increase in participants during Women's Golf Week in the first three years, organizers of the event extended the promotion through the entire month of June in 2008, giving golf facilities and its PGA and LPGA Professionals more flexibility in offering activities.
"Our goal for Women's Golf Month is to increase the percentage of women playing this great game and to have them discover the fun to be had on the golf course," said Anne Lyndrup, Director of Player Development, National Golf Course Owners Association and leader of the Women's Golf Month organizers. "We are anticipating an even greater number of courses offering clinics for new players around the country as we celebrate the fifth anniversary in June, 2009."
More than 105,600 people across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past four years during American Express Women's Golf Month, which premiered in 2005 as Women's Golf Week.
Aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and making learning and playing golf fun, the number of participants has increased each year with a record 37,350 people attending Women's Golf Month events in 2008, a 293 percent increase since its inaugural year in 2005, when 225 facilities hosted 9,500 participants during Women's Golf Week.
American Express Women's Golf Month seeks to provide women the opportunity to learn, re-learn or play golf in a fun and friendly environment. Participating golf facilities offered complimentary instruction and were encouraged to host other activities, such as networking receptions, golf rules and etiquette seminars, club fitting and equipment demonstrations, golf apparel fashion shows, luncheons, playing experiences and contests.
According to the 2007 National Golf Foundation Golf Participation Study, the number of women golfers in the U.S. has grown to 6.4 million, an eight percent growth since 2002, including 926,000 junior girls ages 6-17 and 5.5 million women ages 18-years and older. And, of all new players to the game of golf in 2006, 63 percent were women (source: PGA of America).
American Express Women's Golf Month, part of the national Play Golf America campaign, will celebrate its "Fifth Anniversary" in 2009. It is coordinated by industry-leading organizations, including the Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and The PGA of America (PGA). LPGA Tour and LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez and PGA/LPGA Professional Suzy Whaley served as spokeswomen for the event in 2008.
American Express Women's Golf Week/Month Statistics from 2005-2008
Year Participants Increase from previous year
2005 9,500 n/a
2006 24,570 110 percent
2007 34,200 39 percent
2008 37,350 9.2 percent
Since its inaugural year in 2005, there is a 437 percent increase in participating facilities and a 293 percent increase in participation.
About the Lead Organizations:
Since its founding in 1991, the Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA) has touched the lives of over 85,000 women by connecting them to learn, play and enjoy golf for business and for fun. This not-for-profit association delivers a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for new and experienced golfers to nearly 20,000 members at over 125 local chapters throughout the United States and international chapters in Canada and France. The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. For more information about the EWGA and its membership, visit ewga.com.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association's philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at gcsaa.org.
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association:
As the longest-running women's professional sports organization in the world, the LPGA features a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Today's LPGA Tour features the most talented global group of professional athletes competing in 37 events in 10 countries with total prize money of more than $64 million. In addition to its dynamic Tour members, nearly 1,200 certified LPGA T&CP members serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf. The LPGA's Vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world. Its Mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA (ngcoa.org) helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses.
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. Visit pga.com or PlayGolfAmerica.com to learn more.
About the 2008 Title Sponsor:
American Express Global Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants that accept American Express Cards around the globe. American Express Company (americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850. American Express has been the title sponsor for three consecutive years.
Media Contacts:
Randy Stutzman, The PGA of America (rstutzman@pgahq.com), 561-624-8438
Tammy Boclair, Alday Communications (tammy@aldaycommunications.com), 615-791-1535, x26
Dana Gross-Rhode, LPGA, dana.grossrhode@lpga.com, 386-274-6273
