More than 20,000 women nationwide were treated to free golf lessons and golf-related networking and social activities at hundreds of golf facilities across the country June 3-10, as part of part of American Express Women's Golf Week

The event was a precedent-setting collaboration of the top U.S. golf organizations led by Golf 20/20 aimed at increasing the participation of women in the game of golf. The participation nearly doubled from its inaugural year in 2005, with a 160% increase in the number of registered host facilities.

"We are thrilled with the success of the 2006 American Express Women's Golf Week, both in terms of the number of facilities that chose to participate and also the engagement of so many women in the game," said Ruffin Beckwith, executive director of Golf 20/20. "This was a consolidated effort of our allied organizations and an outstanding group of corporate sponsors, and we look forward to even greater success next year."

Fundraising at host facilities raised more than $30,000 for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement, a nationwide campaign dedicated to making women aware of their risk for heart disease.

According to research conducted by the National Golf Foundation, women comprise the fastest-growing segment of the golf market, accounting for more than 2.5 million "core" golfers (those playing at least eight rounds of golf annually) and millions of additional occasional or beginning women golfers. In fact, one in five "core" golfers are women, and the number is growing. Women also spend billions of dollars annually on golf rounds, apparel and equipment ($4.3 billion in 2002, according to NGF), making them a powerful consumer group within the golf industry.

For more information on Golf 20/20, please visit www.golf2020.com.