NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: January 5, 2009

PGA PLAY GOLF AMERICA DAYS RETURN TO THE CAROLINAS!
Carolinas PGA Professionals will be on-hand at SEVEN different events in the Carolinas in 2009!

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (January 5, 2009) – The Carolinas PGA Section is proud to announce the sites and activities for the 2009 Play Golf America Day season!  We have once again secured events at seven different facilities throughout North and South Carolina, so if you weren’t one of the 3,500 people who attended these events in 2008 - or even if you were – you’re bound to find a Play Golf America Day near you!

The 2009 schedule is as follows:

Saturday, February 14 | Resort Club at Grand Dunes – Myrtle Beach, S.C. | 11:00 – 2:00
Saturday, March 28 | Methodist University Golf Club – Fayetteville, N.C. | 10:00 – 4:00
Saturday, April 4 | The Golf Club at Cedar Creek – Aiken, S.C. | 10:00 – 4:00
Saturday, April 18 | Magnolia Greens – Leland, N.C. | 10:00 – 4:00
Saturday, April 25 | The Legends at Parris Island – Parris Island, S.C. | 10:00 – 4:00
Saturday, May 2 | Reynolds Park Golf Club – Winston Salem, N.C. | 10:00 – 4:00
Saturday, May 16 | Broadmoor Golf Links – Fletcher, N.C. | 10:00 – 3:00

Carolinas PGA Play Golf America Days are designed to provide free expert instruction to golfers of all ages and skill levels, introduce new golfers to the game and provide equipment testing from the best brands in golf today.

Highlighting every event will be free instruction and golf clinics conducted by more than 20 PGA Professionals from each area of the Carolinas, including First Swing Clinics for beginners and more.  These golf professionals will also provide 10-minute tune-ups, and conduct demonstrations on all facets of the game regardless of skill level.

Several of the golf industry’s leading equipment manufacturers will also be on-site to provide hands-on testing of the hottest products on the market today.  Attendees will be able to test drivers on the range, wedges at the chipping area and putters on the practice green.  Representatives from each participating manufacturer will also be on hand to provide club fitting and product insight.

Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to gather information on some of today’s most exciting golf participation programs that are part of the Play Golf America initiative, including Get Golf Ready, the Carolinas PGA Golf League Championship, PGA Free Lesson Month, Women’s Golf Week, July is Family Golf Month, Take Your Daughter to the Course and Bring Your Kids to the Range. 

The PGA Play Golf America Day event will also feature representatives from The PGA Trade-In Network.  This is a structured system where golfers can trade in golf clubs for credit towards the purchase of new equipment from each respective golf shop.

“We, along with our host facilities, look forward to these events each year,” said Ron Schmid, Executive Director, Carolinas PGA Section.  “They’re free, and open to the public and they’re a great way for our Carolinas PGA Professionals to reach out to those who are interested in learning more about the game of golf through free instruction. These events along with the many other Play Golf America programs, including the new Get Golf Ready initiative, are a very integral part of what we do.”

In 2008, more than 3,500 people attended Play Golf America Days in the Carolinas where they received free instruction from more than 150 Carolinas PGA Professionals at seven events.  Different activities were available at each event, including a putt for a car, a putt for $25,000, free kids clubs, exciting performances by two trick-shot artists and much, much more.  The Herb Graffis award-winning Growth of the Game program here in the Carolinas PGA Section hopes to continue bringing new and exciting activities to each of this year’s Play Golf America Days and we can’t wait to see you there!

For a complete schedule and updated list of each event specific to the Carolinas, and to PRE-REGISTER for an event in your area, log on to www.PlayGolfAmericaDay.com.  To find out more about Play Golf America, or to find more programs in your area, log on to www.PlayGolfAmerica.com. 

About Carolinas PGA Section

Established in 1923, the Carolinas PGA Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association has grown to be the largest of the PGA forty-one sections with almost 2,000 professional members. The Carolinas PGA Section embraces North and South Carolina as well as a small portion of southern Virginia, representing more than 800 golf facilities. The Carolinas PGA is dedicated to nurturing and improving the quality of the game for the thousands of golfers using its member facilities. PGA professionals are responsible for conducting a variety of golf-related functions which include human resource management, golf shop merchandising, golf instruction, tournament operations, junior golf programs, growth of the game initiatives, golf club repair, administering the rules, public relations and much more. For additional information, contact Kate Anderson, Media and Promotions Manager, at (843) 913-2742.

About Carolinas PGA Section

Established in 1923, the Carolinas PGA Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association has grown to be the largest of the PGA’s forty-one sections with almost 2,000 professional members. The Carolinas PGA Section embraces North and South Carolina as well as a small portion of southern Virginia, representing more than 800 golf facilities. The Carolinas PGA is dedicated to nurturing and improving the quality of the game for the thousands of golfers using its member facilities. PGA professionals are responsible for conducting a variety of golf-related functions which include human resource management, golf shop merchandising, golf instruction, tournament operations, junior golf programs, growth of the game initiatives, golf club repair, administering the rules, public relations and much more. For additional information, contact Stephanie Pendrys, Marketing and Promotions Manager, at (843) 399-2742.

About Play Golf America

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 Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.  Begun in January 2004, Play Golf America’s goal is to reach the millions of non-golfers who have expressed a desire to play, and the millions of occasional golfers who play between one and seven times per year. The campaign is designed to introduce people to the game of golf, enhance their skills and increase their frequency of play. 

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

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