(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) -- Play Golf America's Family Golf Month celebrates its fifth anniversary in July encouraging families to hit the links together, giving family members - young and old - the opportunity to learn and play the game in a structured, yet casual atmosphere, while having fun.
This year, more than 1,140 facilities nationwide have registered for Family Golf Month and there are more than 3,500 family programs to choose from on PlayGolfAmerica.com. Throughout the year, many of these facilities promote special rates for junior golfers at $20 or less. Other promotions include Take Your Daughter to the Course Week and Bring Your Kids to the Range, which encourages families to spend time together playing golf.
During the week of July 5-11, The PGA of America is teaming up with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) to promote Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, a program designed to promote overall participation in golf, especially among girls and their families. More than 700 participating facilities will offer free green fees to girls accompanied by a paying adult, with many facilities also offering a free clinic for young ladies. Similarly, Bring Your Kids to the Range encourages families to golf together with special offers on range ball purchases at participating facilities during the month of July.
As a newly added promotion to PlayGolfAmerica.com, Kids Play Free features hundreds of courses nationwide waving their fees for junior golfers entirely when accompanied by a paying adult. Engaging young golfers is a major way that Play Golf America's junior golf programs support Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative to help combat childhood obesity, as studies show that walking the golf course reduces levels of bad cholesterol, burns calories, prevents heart disease, and helps oxygenate the body and improve posture.
In addition to these Family Golf Month activities, PGA/LPGA 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.
"We really encourage our PGA and LPGA Professionals to have fun with their family and junior programs," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "It's so important to get juniors involved in the game at an early age because statistics show that 49 percent of juniors introduced to the game of golf are still playing at 25-years old or older."
More than 800 PGA facilities are offering the PGA Family Course Program, which offers a "short course" experience within an existing course. The shorter course makes it easier for kids to learn the sport, while also making the game more affordable. Thanks to a partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), PGA Family Course tees will be available at another 60 park and municipal courses in July. Hosted year round at participating facilities, the PGA Family Course program is a collaboration between The PGA of America and U.S. Kids Golf.
"It's always encouraging to see the next generation of golfers get excited about coming to the range with their families, because there's nothing like the look on a kid's face when they hit that first good shot." Remy added.
For more information on Play Golf America and any of the family or junior golf programs, consumers can visit PlayGolfAmerica.com. The site allows users to find and register at participating facilities in their area by searching their city or zip code.
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 PlayGolfAmerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.
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.
The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. Visit www.ngcoa.org to learn more.
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