Six-month numbers exceed 12-month totals for 2005
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.– PGA Professionals, golf facilities and, most importantly, consumers have participated in Play Golf America programs at record levels during the first six months of 2006, announced Roger Warren, president of The PGA of America. Play Golf America has shattered its 2005 total numbers and has outdriven the course it set for 2006 in only the first six months of the year, setting participation records in its programs.
The total number of participating Play Golf America facilities and events posted on the player development web site www.playgolfamerica.com, has far exceeded last year’s numbers. A total of 1,350 facilities have posted events, a 90.1 percent increase over last year’s 710 facilities. In addition, more than 6,200 Play Golf America events have been posted through the month of June compared to last year’s 12-month total of 4,734, a 31.4 percent increase.
Highlights and record-setting numbers in the first six months include: .
-The Play Golf America Web site has had a 95.3 percent increase in traffic for June 2006 versus the same month in 2005. Through June, there were 325,045 unique visitors to the site, an increase of 56.3 percent from 2005. During May (PGA Free Lesson Month), there were over 111,406 unique visitors to the site, a 54.8 percent from May 2005.
-The number of registered Play Golf America facilities grew to almost 6,700 as of June 30, a 10.9 percent increase from last year (6,018 facilities).
-A total of 1,350 facilities have posted Play Golf America events on the Web site through June, a 90.1 percent increase.
-More than 6,200 Play Golf America events have been posted on the Web site so far this year compared to last year’s total of 4,734, a 31.4 percent increase.
-In its inaugural year, more than 2,700 PGA Professionals across the country provided free 15-minute expert equipment fitting sessions to assist consumers in finding the appropriate equipment to help them improve their game during PGA Free Fitting & Trade Up Month in April.
-A record of 7,485 PGA Professionals (8.7 percent increase) participated in PGA Free Lesson Month at a record 5,880 facilities (5.5 percent increase) nationwide. Golf Digest Publications, with a combined audience of nearly 10 million readers, once again partnered for the ninth consecutive year with The PGA of America to promote PGA Free Lesson Month since the campaign’s inception. The Golf Channel completed its fourth year as a partner communicating the PGA Free Lesson Month message to almost 70 million viewers. Nike Golf, also in its fourth year with the program, supplied prizes for the sweepstakes.
-A record 585 golf facilities across the country hosted American Express Women’s Golf Week, which more than doubled last year’s total (160 percent increase). Joining title sponsor American Express were Golf for Women magazine, Cobra Golf, Lady Fairway, Golfsmith and Nike Golf.
-The PGA of America expanded its free to consumer Play Golf America Days to 39 PGA Sections across the country. There were 49 Play Golf America Days scheduled this year (12 in 2005) and to date, an average of 400 participants attended an event, including over 1,300 in Utah and 1,200 in Northern California.
-The PGA of America teamed with the National Golf Course Owners Association this year to promote "Take Your Daughter to the Course Week." This is the first year the program was promoted under the Play Golf America marketing umbrella, and the seventh year overall. As of June 30, there is a 24.1 percent increase in courses hosting Take Your Daughter to the Course Week nationwide.
-More than 250 PGA Professionals attended the first ever Play Golf America Conference at the PGA Merchandise Show in January where player development best practices were shared.
-A new search tool on www.playgolfamerica.com was developed for disabled golfers to connect them with PGA Professionals who have experience providing instruction to those with disabilities.
"We are fortunate to be in an industry that has embraced Play Golf America," Warren said. "The support we continue to receive from golf’s allied associations and our friends and partners in the industry is helping us make an impact in growing the game and reaching more golfers every day. We are very excited about the tremendous positive momentum we have as we enter the second half of 2006."
In 2006, Play Golf America focused on building upon successful programs like PGA Free Lesson Month, American Express Women’s Golf Week and Play Golf America Days while adding new ones such as the National Golf Course Owners Association’s Take Your Daughter to the Course Week and PGA Free Fitting & Trade Up Month. In addition, the www.playgolfamerica.com site was revamped to include more in depth content to promote the game of golf.
"We substantially added to our calendar of national programs in 2006 while still promoting the grassroots programs being implemented in markets across America by our PGA Professionals," Warren said. "When we introduced Play Golf America, we knew it could have a measurable impact on the industry. We are pleased with the results so far this year but realize that we still have plenty of work left to do."
Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult golfers, was launched in 2004 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.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America
561/624-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
Mike Alday, Tammy Boclair
Alday Communications
615-791-1535
mike@aldaycommunications.com
tammy@aldaycommunications.com
