SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The newest golf industry player-development program, Get Golf Ready in 5 Days, has exceeded its target number of host facilities in the initial year of the program. Nearly 1,100 facilities are certified to host the program, surpassing the target goal of 700 host facilities for 2009, and more than 2,260 Get Golf Ready events have been posted on line. Aimed at bringing adults into the game in a fast, fun and affordable way, Get Golf Ready, Play Golf America's 2009 featured program, seeks to introduce the game to thousands of golfers in the first year.

Targeting adults who have limited or no experience with the game of golf, Get Golf Ready is comprised of a series of five introductory lessons offered by PGA/LPGA Professionals in a small-group environment at prices ranging from approximately $99 to $149 (varies by facility). The program provides basic skills instruction as well as information regarding the background of the game's rules, etiquette and values. Significant on-course learning opportunities are a part of each lesson. Overall, participants gain insight into techniques regarding chipping, putting, full swing, half swing and bunker play as well as the fundamental guidelines regarding the use and maintenance of golf equipment, keeping score and navigating the course, among others. Following the completion of the five-session program, a smooth transition into other Get Golf Ready graduate outings, such as the free and low-cost programs offered by Play Golf America (PlayGolfAmerica.com), will be provided.

"We are pleased with the enthusiasm and support Get Golf Ready has generated within the golf industry," said Steve Mona, Chairman of World Golf Foundation. "Many facilities have already exceeded their first year goal of 50 students."

One of the facilities that has exceeded its goal is East Potomac-Hains Point Golf Course in Washington D.C., where 520 students have participated in the Get Golf Ready program since the first class was held in April.

"We believed that this program would take off like a rocket here in the nation's capital as soon as we heard about the program last November at the Golf 20/20 Conference," Kimberly Thomas, Golf Course Specialists, Vice-President & Director of Golf Services said.

"We are not only impressed with the instant popularity of this new industry initiative, but we are also extremely excited about our Get Golf Ready retention offerings, such as student outings and a variety of post Get Golf Ready group classes at the $99 price point," Thomas added. "Our instruction team has been overwhelmed with the positive feedback from their students and the enthusiastic student response has energized our entire golf services team."

Get Golf Ready (GetGolfReady.com), the newest Play Golf America program, was announced in November 2008 as part of the World Golf Foundation's GOLF 20/20 initiative. Currently in its inaugural year, the program is benefiting from unprecedented support and collaboration from the entire golf industry, including the World Golf Foundation, The PGA of America and other leading national and state golf associations, organizations, manufacturers, media and companies.

"It's exciting to see how the industry is embracing this new player development program," said Michael Hughes, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association. "It's clear from the strong response we're seeing from owners and professionals that Get Golf Ready addresses the need to bring adults into the game in an easy and enjoyable manner."

The World Golf Foundation is providing a one-time $1,000 stipend to each qualifying certified facility as an incentive to deliver a branded experience and education, while helping to offset the program's start-up and promotional costs. More than $2.5 million has been committed by a broad cross-section of the industry toward the funding of the facility stipends.