PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- More than 100 golf facilities nationwide are offering family programs under The PGA of America’s Play Golf America pilot promotion GOLF: A Family Vacation for a Day through the end of September. These programs provide a structured, yet casual opportunity for families to learn and play the game of golf together and promote golf as a regular family recreation activity for all participants.

Participating facilities will offer family golf clinics and family golf play days for a nominal fee. Host PGA Professionals may also customize additional programs that best fit their facility, resources and style such as 3-, 6-, or 9-hole scrambles, family golf tees and score cards or a family cookout to celebrate the day. Consumers can find a complete list of participating facilities, along with details on specific events and online registration, by zip code on the Play Golf America Web site at www.playgolfamerica.com.

The Carolinas PGA Sections hosted its own pilot program in 2005 when it established “August is Carolina’s Family Golf Month.” Facilities throughout North Carolina and South Carolina participated by offering special family rates and clinics. Based on the success of that program, The PGA of America officials created the pilot GOLF: A Family Vacation in 2006 to promote family golf programs and plan to use feedback from participating facilities to possibly develop the program into an annual Play Golf America promotion beginning next year.

“Golf is a great family activity and, as part of Play Golf America, we continue to seek new ways to get families to spend valuable time together on the golf course,” said Roger Warren, president of The PGA of America.

Warren, who is also president of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, is a proponent of family golf programs at his own facility through the Kiawah Island Family Tee Program. During the summer months, Kiawah Island offers affordable tee times specifically for families at its courses. All family members play from the junior tees so everyone is playing together.

“At Kiawah Island, we see the value in having all family members on the course together,” Warren said. “We want to make sure we are helping to develop future golfers.”

Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult 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 www.playgolfamerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.