WASHINGTON -- PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka and WNBA President Donna Orender, appearing before the Sept. 3 Mystics/Storm game, reviewed The PGA of America and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) partnership to present Play Golf America Game Day Experiences. The events feature free golf instruction from local PGA and LPGA Professionals at selected WNBA games.
Joining Steranka and Orender were Sheila Johnson, President and Managing Partner, Washington Mystics, Owner of Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Tampa, Fla., CEO of Salamander Hospitality; Sandra Battle, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy for the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights; and Angela Taylor, Vice President and General Manager, Washington Mystics.
"Nearly 40 percent of the WNBA audience has an interest in the game of golf," said Orender. "We are really proud of the WNBA, their partnership with The PGA of America and the impact that we are having to reach millions of young girls and engage them in sports."
Steranka celebrated bringing interactive golf experiences to non-traditional venues to help grow the game.
"One of the things that we are most proud of is the people impact of this partnership," said Steranka. "It really is the merger of two communities, the women's basketball community and the golf community. This is taking place all across the country and what we have found is that together we can make a larger impact."
Some highlights from previous Game Day Experiences this season include:
* A pair of tickets for a 91st PGA Championship practice round, held at Hazeltine National Golf Club were given to the first 75 fans who took a golf lesson, and a grand prize of tournament day tickets were given away throughout the evening at the Aug. 7 game in Minneapolis.
* Callaway Golf representatives were on hand at the Aug. 23 San Antonio/Detroit game and gave equipment fittings and demos to fans, complementing the free lessons given by Michigan PGA Section Professionals.
* The Southern California PGA Section conducted a skills contest along with its free lessons at its Aug. 27 Game Day Experience (Phoenix/Los Angeles). Fans had an opportunity to win prizes in addition to receiving coupons for an exclusive autograph session with Sparks' players following the game.
* The Southwest PGA Section teamed with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury's "Adopt a Team Program" at Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, Ariz., and gave 18 underprivileged girls a full set of golf clubs, a golf bag, one dozen golf balls and tees. After the girls received their golf equipment, they went through the FUNdamental Golf Program that teaches kids how to play golf and be productive citizens who contribute to society. The Section also provided these girls with access to free golf at Shalimar Golf Club. Some of the recipients were on hand at the Aug. 29 Game Day Experience in Phoenix, when the Mercury defeated the Connecticut Sun, 95-84. AWGA, Arizona's leader in women's golf since 1924, also was represented at the game and hosted a putting contest.
The PGA of America also participated in the Mystics' Sports and Entertainment Career Fair presented by Westwood College, Sept. 3, at the Verizon Center. Some 550 persons attended the event. Representing The PGA of America were PGA Professional Billy Dillon, Program Director for the PGA Golf Management Program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Bob Heintz, Junior Golf Director of the Middle Atlantic PGA Section. Students from University Maryland Eastern Shore also participated in The PGA of America Careers in Golf Booth.
In 2008, there were 5.8 million women golfers in the United States, a seven percent increase since 2000, including 600,000 junior girls (ages 6-17) (source: National Golf Foundation). The WNBA Game Day Experiences are just one of many women's golf initiatives announced by The PGA of America to help grow this influential segment of golfers and bring more women to the game.
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.
About The PGA of America
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 multi-billion dollar 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 WNBA
The WNBA is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity. Comprised of 13 teams, the WNBA is the most successful women's professional team sports league in the world. The league concluded its historic 12th regular season with increases in attendance, ratings, Web traffic, and merchandise sales. The 2009 WNBA season tipped off June 6 on ABC.
Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase
breast and women's health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education. For more information on the WNBA, log on to wnba.com.
