Organizers project that more than 1,200 facilities will host 50,000 women throughout the week
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – America’s leading golf organizations and American Express have announced that American Express will return as title sponsor of the 2007 American Expressâ?¢ Women’s Golf Week. The company served as title sponsor of the 2006 event and will aid in outreach efforts to bring women 14 years of age and older to the game of golf. American Express Women’s Golf Week, a nationwide golf player-development program, is scheduled for June 2-9 at participating facilities nationwide.
"This is the third year for the American Express Women’s Golf Week and each year participation increases dramatically," said Trish Davis, EWGA Chief Operating Officer who chairs the American Express Women’s Golf Week committee. "The chance to once again team up with a company like American Express, is exciting for us as we know they are just as committed to growing the game of golf among women as we are."
"American Express is committed to supporting and growing the game of golf, so we are proud to sponsor American Express Women’s Golf Week" according to Yana Gutierrez, Vice President, Travel & Entertainment Industries, American Express. "Many of our Cardmembers are passionate and frequent golfers, and we are delighted to provide an additional opportunity for more people to get involved in the sport."
American Express Women’s Golf Week provides the opportunity for women to take that first step to learn and play golf in a women-friendly environment. The event reached more than 10,000 women in its inaugural year (2005) and increased to 24,500 women participating in various American Express Women’s Golf Week activities in 2006. This year, more than 50,000 women are projected to attend an American Express Women’s Golf Week event at a golf course in their community. Events are customized at each facility and include complimentary golf instruction among other golf and social events. In addition, many courses will also offer exclusive savings for American Express® Cardmembers such as 20% off a round of golf at participating courses.
Women’s Golf Week was developed in response to input from golf industry leaders at the 2004 GOLF 20/20 Conference and is part of the Play Golf America campaign, the golf industry’s premier search engine for accessing information on player development programs for adults, women and families nationwide.
After advancing the program for two years, GOLF 20/20 handed over management responsibility for Women’s Golf Week to the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA), The PGA of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), with ongoing support from other leading organizations in golf including the PGA TOUR, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Consumers can find more details about the 2007 American Express Women’s Golf Week, including a complete list of participating facilities, along with details on specific events and online registration online at www.PlayGolfAmerica.com beginning in May.
About the Lead Organizations:
The LPGA is the world’s pre-eminent women’s professional sports organization featuring the world’s best women golfers. In addition to the more than 400 LPGA Tour members, the LPGA membership includes nearly 1,200 certified Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) who serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions. The LPGA T&CP member programs focus on increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com
Since the EWGA started in 1991, more than 80,000 women have benefited from membership in the organization which is dedicated to providing opportunities to learn, play, and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. There are currently 120 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The chapters provide a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers. For more information about the EWGA and its membership, visit www.ewga.com.
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. Visit www.pga.com or www.PlayGolfAmerica.com to learn more.
The National Golf Course Owners Association 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. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org or www.getlinkedplaygolf.com
American Express Establishment Services is the merchant network of American Express which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants that welcome the American Express Card around the globe. American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.
Contact:
Dana Gross-Rhode, LPGA
dana.grossrhode@lpga.com
386-274-6273
Tammy Boclair, Alday Communications
615-791-1535, x26
tammy@aldaycommunications.com
