PGA Past President M.G. Orender of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., who is called by some the "Godfather of Play Golf America," has never been one to mince words when it comes to helping PGA Professionals cope with business challenges or the current economic times.

Orender was at the podium again during the 11th PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he directed an audience of fellow PGA Professionals to do more to promote the growth of the game and not just take part in teaching it, while introducing Play Golf America's newest program - "Get Golf Ready."

"For PGA Professionals, taking part in Play Golf America programs is no longer a choice, it is an economic necessity," said Orender. "Get Golf Ready is a nationally branded program that takes the best practices of introducing and teaching the game but with some added components for today's consumers, which adds exponentially to the retention of these new customers. This nationally-branded industry supported program is long overdue."

Orender's talk about the current economic climate and the impact on the future of golf generated heightened interest from the PGA Professionals, who base much of their income from consumers' discretionary spending habits.

Orender also stressed the need to grow the game among established players, as opposed to concentrating on bringing new players into the game.

As the 2009 featured program and next step for Play Golf America, Get Golf Ready is an industry-wide, nationally branded program that has two main goals:

* to bring new golfers into the game in a fast, fun and gratifying way;
* to bring former golfers back to the sport

The goal for the new Play Golf America initiative is to have Get Golf Ready offered at 700 facilities in 2009, with 3,000 facilities offering the program by the end of 2011. It is projected that a high percentage of these will come from PGA Professionals with existing programs similar to Get Golf Ready.

The objective is to deliver a consistent Get Golf Ready experience at an affordable price for adult consumers from coast-to-coast, where they will learn the game through a series of group lessons and transition to on-going playing opportunities. By participating in this program, students will be well on their way to becoming bona fide golfers.

Get Golf Ready will be the lead program on PlayGolfAmerica.com and fully integrated with GetGolfReady.com. Consumers will be directed to these sites to search for a program in their area. Golf facilities hosting Get Golf Ready programs will promote schedules for both the group lessons and playing opportunities on the site.

"We are excited about Get Golf Ready and its potential to expand the industry's customer base," said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka, who is chairman of GOLF 20/20's Executive Committee. "We feel this program and curriculum will be successful in bringing more people to the game based on the extensive work and research that has been accomplished over the first five years of Play Golf America. Now, we're ready to take an important step forward by having the entire industry collaborate on the development, roll-out and support of this new initiative."

The key elements of the program are Learn and Play.

The Learning component caters to offering an affordable five-lesson group instruction program. Each session also features an on-course practical experience as a way to make learning more fun and bridge aspiring players to the course.

The Play aspect requires host facilities to offer ongoing playing opportunities in a casual, yet structured setting using fun, group-oriented, skill-enhancement formats. The Play element also includes PGA Professionals as on-course mentors to help guide the new golfers around the course. These on-course experiences are considered the vital element in order to maximize retention.

Official applications for Get Golf Ready will go live at the 56th PGA Merchandise Show on January 29, 2009. Applications will be hosted on PlayGolfAmerica.com plus hard copies will be available. Prior to Jan. 29, PGA/LPGA Professionals may visit PlayGolfAmerica.com to show interest and get placed on a Priority List to receive advanced communications.

Applications will be evaluated based on plans to satisfy Get Golf Ready criteria, meaning only those that display the means and commitment to properly implement this program will be designated as certified facilities.

INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT AND Get Golf Ready STIPEND
Get Golf Ready is benefiting from unprecedented support and collaboration from the entire industry, including the World Golf Foundation, The PGA of America and other leading national and state golf associations, organizations, manufacturers, media and companies. All facets of the industry have answered to call by committing financial support to help administer the program, plus provide stipends to certified facilities.

As part of the first year of the Program, 700 certified facilities are targeted to receive a $1,000 stipend for hosting Get Golf Ready. While there is no limit to the number of facilities that may be certified, the stipend will be allocated to a select group of 700 based on program criteria.

For more information on Get Golf Ready, visit PlayGolfAmerica.com , or contact Le Ann Finger in The PGA Player Development Department at LFinger@pgahq.com or (561) 624-7628.