America's Golfers Offered a Boost to Their Games by Participating in PGA Free Lesson Month in May

America's Golfers Offered a Boost to Their Games by Participating in PGA Free Lesson Month in May
Press Release

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh consecutive year, golfers across the country can get that special touch-up to their game by taking advantage of PGA Free Lesson Month in May. The campaign is the result of a partnership between The PGA of America, Golf Digest, The Golf Channel, and Golf Digest's sister publication -- Golf For Women. Nike Golf serves as the official sponsor for a second consecutive year.

PGA Free Lesson Month is designed to help amateur golfers improve their skills and attract new players to the game. Throughout May, a record-breaking number of over 4,700 PGA Professionals will be offering free 10-minute golf lessons at more than 4,100 facilities nationwide. This year's PGA Professional turnout surpasses the previous record set in 2003 of 4,428 PGA Professionals, who provided 78,483 free lessons. The entire roster of PGA Professionals and their respective facilities is posted on http://www.pga.com, http://www.golfdigest.com and the new industry-supported web site, http://www.playgolfamerica.com.

"PGA Free Lesson Month, one of the most successful growth of the game campaigns that we've ever jointly produced, is a great opportunity for every golfer in America," said PGA of America President M.G. Orender. "It is a campaign focused on getting mom, dad, the kids, all participating in golf and learning about the game at the same time from the best teachers in the game -- a PGA Professional."

Golf Digest has partnered with The PGA of America on this initiative since its inception and will again feature a roster of participating PGA Professionals in its May issue. The May issue also will include an insert sweepstakes card giving readers a convenient way to sign up for a free lesson and register to win the sweepstakes provided by Nike Golf and The PGA of America. The program also will be featured in Golf For Women magazine's May/June issue and Golf World magazine's April 23 issue and posted on http://www.golfdigest.com.

"The deep pool of instructional talent associated with PGA Free Lesson Month is second to none," said Jerry Tarde, Chairman and Editorial Director of The Golf Digest Companies. "Helping golfers improve and enjoy the game more is at the heart of Golf Digest and Golf For Women and we're excited to bring this unique opportunity to amateur golfers."

Nike Golf has added a new exciting element to the campaign by inviting some of its most recognized athletes to participate. They include Mia Hamm, the icon of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team; Marshall Faulk, NFL MVP and Pro Bowl member of the St. Louis Rams; Steve Nash, NBA All-Star from the Dallas Mavericks; and Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers, a catcher for the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins and a 10-time All-Star and Gold Glove recipient. Each athlete will be featured in posters, public service announcements and a joint publicity campaign between The PGA of America, Nike Golf, The Golf Channel and Golf Digest.

"Nike Golf is proud to be a part of the program yet again and to bring added value through the participation of these world class athletes," said Nike Golf General Manager Dave Pillsbury. "Golf is the great equalizer -- whether you're a World Cup champion, Gold Glove recipient or league All-Star, we're all on equal footing when it comes to the game of golf. Enjoyment in this lifelong pursuit begins with a lesson which is what we are communicating with our athlete partners."

The Golf Channel, in its second year as partner, will dedicate May as PGA Free Lesson Month on its instructional golf show, "Academy Live," which will air Mondays as part of "Your Game Night" on the network. Four specialty shows will feature golf professionals from The PGA of America and Golf Digest, as well as Nike Golf instructors who will promote the program to more than 60 million homes. The Golf Channel will also air promotional spots on "Golf Central" and host the registration for the sweepstakes online at http://www.TheGolfChannel.com.

"We are pleased to support the initiatives of the PGA of America, especially those as important as PGA Free Lesson Month," said Bob Greenway, senior vice president of programming and production for The Golf Channel. "Long-time and first-time Golf Channel viewers will reap extra benefits when we showcase PGA teaching pros throughout our May schedule, especially during Your Game Night on Mondays."

Every golfer who takes a free lesson and sends in a Free Lesson Card, will be entered with his or her PGA Professional for a chance to win Nike Golf's Grand Prize sweepstakes package that includes a three-day getaway vacation to Chapel Hill, N.C.; a playing spot in the next Mia Hamm's charity golf tournament, the Annual Mia Hamm Foundation Golf Classic; and a custom-fit set of Nike Golf clubs, including the new Ignite Driver, Nike Golf footwear, apparel, bag, balls and more. The sweepstakes winners will include an amateur golfer and the PGA Professional who conducted the lesson, along with the PGA Professional who conducted the most free lessons.

The PGA of America will provide a second-place prize of a trip for three nights/four days to the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The package includes rounds of golf at the award-winning PGA Golf Club, a day of instruction at PGA of America Golf Schools and unlimited use of the state-of- the-art PGA Learning Center.

PGA Free Lesson Month is part of a comprehensive national umbrella- marketing campaign to stimulate golf participation called "Play Golf America," which is being led by The PGA of America and supported by the golf industry.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, 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 who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.