SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Get Golf Ready, an industry-wide adult player development program, announced the launch of the facility registration process for those facilities interested in serving as a 2009 host site. Facilities may register either online at GetGolfReady.com, or by contacting the World Golf Foundation for registration information. GetGolfReady.com will also serve as a resource site for interested consumers to learn more about the program and to get connected with participating facilities.

Get Golf Ready is a program of the World Golf Foundation's GOLF 20/20 initiative. Announced in November, 2008, Get Golf Ready is targeted to the millions of U.S. adults who have never played golf, or who have minimal previous connection to the game. Participants will be provided with skills training as well as background on the game's rules, etiquette and values. The initiative is designed to bring adults into the game in a comfortable, enjoyable manner through a series of five introductory lessons in a small-group environment. Each of the five sessions features significant on-course learning opportunities. The program will be offered in many locations at $99, although pricing may vary by facility.

Get Golf Ready programs are projected to be offered at 700 facilities around the U.S. by the end of 2009, reaching up to 35,000 new participants. By the end of 2011, the expectation is that 3,000 facilities will be offering the program and reaching up to 150,000 new players annually.

Although a goal of the program is to ensure availability of Get Golf Ready offerings at facilities in all regions of the country, certain regions will be areas of special focus to capitalize on market size and interest. For 2009, the program will be rolled out intensively in six target regions: Washington, D.C.; San Francisco/Oakland; Chicago; Boston; Portland; and Dallas. In these six regions, the intent is to identify up to 10 facilities in each market that will offer the program.

A unique feature of the Get Golf Ready roll-out is that each facility that agrees to offer the designated curriculum and use the Get Golf Ready brand in local market promotional efforts will be eligible to receive a stipend of up to $1,000 from World Golf Foundation.

To support the facility stipend, an industry-wide sponsorship initiative has garnered strong support, with nearly $2.6 million already committed by more than 50 organizations and individuals.

"The initial reaction to Get Golf Ready from facilities and the industry generally, and the obvious willingness from a wide variety of industry stakeholders to provide sponsorship support, has been very gratifying," said Steve Mona, Chairman of World Golf Foundation. "Through this program, we will be able to significantly increase interest and participation in golf by adults around the country."

"We are enthused about Get Golf Ready and its potential to have a meaningful impact on our industry's customer base," said Joe Steranka, PGA of America's CEO and Chairman of GOLF 20/20's Executive Committee. "Based on the extensive work and research that has been previously accomplished through industry initiatives such as Play Golf America and Link Up 2 Golf, we believe this program's approach and curriculum will have broad appeal. The PGA is delighted to make this our lead Play Golf America program for 2009."

In addition to providing the basic skills instruction, Get Golf Ready sessions will offer participants the opportunity to understand the game's etiquette, rules and values. The education and insights will be provided in a way that gets people on the golf course as a fundamental part of the learning experience. Following the completion of the five-session program, students will be offered the opportunity to smoothly transition into structured playing opportunities and additional instruction targeted to Get Golf Ready graduates.

"It's clear that interest in Get Golf Ready is very high among golf facilities and teaching professionals around the country," said Cathy Harbin, Director of GOLF 20/20. "Even prior to today's launch of the registration process, we have been very impressed with the enthusiastic response of the golf community and the many expressions of interest we have received. We look forward to the roll-out of this in markets across the country over the next several months."

This announcement of the Get Golf Ready facility registration process will be followed by a number of additional steps leading to the full consumer roll-out in the Spring of 2009. Those facilities signing up to offer Get Golf Ready will be provided with a package of basic curriculum, branding, educational and marketing materials to ensure the program's consistency across the country.

About World Golf Foundation
The World Golf Foundation develops and supports initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values. The Foundation, which was founded in 1993 and is supported by major international golf organizations and professional Tours, provides oversight to World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee, GOLF 20/20 and other industry initiatives in support of its mission.