Revolutionary system to be installed at PGA Village and Valhalla Golf Club
ATLANTA, Ga. – The PGA of America and National Golf Products (NGP) have entered into an agreement to install THE Golf Mat as the preferred practice surface at the PGAVillage in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.
THE Golf Mat, a practice system that offers the same sensation of “give” at impact as taking a divot off natural grass, will be installed at the 35-acre PGA Learning Center – including the short-game area – as well as the award-winning PGA Golf Club and PGA Country Club. It will also be used on the practice range at Valhalla Golf Club.
“The PGA of America is dedicated to improving the game of golf and we feel THE Golf Mat is the ideal practice surface to promote good swing habits,” said Bob Baldassari, general manager of PGA Village. “We want to make certain our instructors, students and visitors have access to the best equipment. Not only does THE Golf Mat more closely resemble real grass, but it has a lifespan far greater than anything we’ve seen before.”
THE Golf Mat utilizes a patented high-tech composite spring embedded below fairway-length turf to produce the first “true grass” alternative. This encourages a proper “down and through” swing motion that facilitates ideal trajectory, maximum control and lower scores. It was developed based on feedback from leading teaching professionals, college coaches and top-flight amateurs.
“It’s an honor to have The PGA select THE Golf Mat as the preferred practice surface for its facilities,” says NGP CEO Jon Leven. “Our system represents a paradigm shift in the way people practice and the support we’ve received at the highest levels of the game is simply tremendous.”
Endorsed by three-time major winner Vijay Singh, and recognized as the preferred practice surface of the University of Georgia men’s golf team, THE Golf Mat is used at facilities nationwide including Ansley Golf Club at Settindown Creek (Ga.), Black Diamond Ranch (Fla.), Charter Oaks Country Club (Mass.), Cog Hill Golf and Country Club (Ill.), Harvey Penick Golf Academy (Texas), Muirfield Village Golf Club (Ohio), Reynolds Plantation (Ga.) and the University of Notre Dame.
THE Golf Mat is available at select golf shops and golf-specific retailers, and online at www.thegolfmat.net. For more information, visit www.thegolfmat.net or call (888) 647-8873.
About National Golf Products
The only company completely dedicated to providing golfers worldwide with a suite of products that makes real practice fun, affordable, accessible and much more productive, NGP was founded in 2007 by Leven and company President Joseph Switzer. Drawing from extensive and successful entrepreneurial backgrounds, the pair initially introduced THE Golf Mat in 2007.
In conjunction with THE Golf Mat, NGP also offers a variety of accessories, including hitting nets in a range of sizes and The Radar powered by Zelocity, the first truly portable and affordable ball flight monitor that allows players of all ages and abilities to practice more efficiently wherever and whenever they want. Using Doppler technology to accurately measure ball velocity, carry and total distance, The Radar provides immediate feedback on shots ranging from 10 to 420 yards and is perfect for practice on the range or hitting into a net in the backyard.
Like all NGP offerings, The Radar is available at better pro shops and golf-specific retailers nationwide, including all Golfsmith locations, as well as online at www.thegolfmat.net.
About PGA Village
The Ryder, Wanamaker and Dye Courses form a trio of world-class public courses at the PGA Golf Club, at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Named by Golf Digest as one of the “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America” for 2007-08, PGA Village also features the award-winning, 35-acre PGA Learning Center golf park and PGA Historical Center golf museum. The PGA Golf Club exists to be one of the premier daily fee facilities in America, and to serve as a home club for our 28,000 PGA Professionals. For more information, please visit www.pgavillage.com.
About PGA of America
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 $76 billion 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.
Contact:
Bill Feidler
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3339
bfeidler@billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
