7/2/03
PGA OF America And PGA Tour Pledge Support
For LPGA-USGA Girls Golf
North Plains, Ore. – Two national golf organizations - the PGA TOUR
and PGA of America - have announced financial support for LPGA-USGA
Girls Golf, a developmental junior golf program that encourages girls,
ages 7-17, to learn to play golf, build friendships and sample competition
in a positive and supportive learning environment. It is the only national
developmental golf program available for young girls.
The PGA of America and the PGA TOUR have each pledged $75,000 to the
program during the next three years. More than 3,000 girls participate
in LPGA-USGA Girls Golf at nearly 130 sites around the United States.
To increase the number of girls involved, the program has also expanded
to include other organizations that target young girls such as Girl
Scouts USA, YWCA and others.
"This program teaches the game of golf in a positive environment while
allowing young people to experience competition and build friendships
at the same time," said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer
Jim Awtrey. "Our more than 28,000 men and women professionals are
committed to growing the game, and programs such as LPGA-USGA Girls
Golf help all of us accomplish this mission. We are delighted to join
the PGA TOUR in support of this partnership between the LPGA and USGA."
LPGA-USGA Girls Golf provides access to the golf course, equipment
and quality instruction for young girls, which are the three important
elements of learning the game.
"The PGA TOUR has worked closely with the LPGA, USGA and PGA of America
on a variety of initiatives designed to grow the interest and participation
in golf, including the World Golf Foundation's GOLF 20/20 initiative,"
said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "LPGA-USGA Girls Golf is
a wonderful example of this cooperative effort that successfully is
introducing golf and its
intrinsic values to young girls throughout the country. The PGA TOUR
is pleased to provide financial support with the PGA of America to help
continue the growth and success of this program."
LPGA-USGA Girls Golf is aimed at increasing the number and diversity
of girls who have the opportunity to learn and play the game of golf
in a fun and stimulating environment. Each site is operated on a local
level with professional instruction, USGA and parent volunteers.
"We are pleased to receive the generous grant support from the PGA
TOUR and PGA of America for their commitment to the LPGA-USGA Girls
Golf program during the next three years," said LPGA Commissioner Ty
M. Votaw. "The program has unlimited possibilities and these funds
will go toward matching grants for establishing more sites and getting
as many girls as possible introduced to golf. This combined support
will enable the LPGA-USGA Girls
Golf program to carry on the momentum enjoyed during the previous 12
months during which the number of sites and participants grew by nearly
50 percent. With the support of organizations like the PGA of America
and PGA TOUR, we can affect change, enhance our growth goals for the
program and grow girls golf throughout the United States."
In addition to financial support from the USGA, LPGA, PGA TOUR and
PGA of America, Girls Golf has received financial and volunteer support
from the Executive Women’s Golf Association.
For further information about LPGA-USGA Girls Golf contact Sherry Greene
at the LPGA at (386) 274-6200 or Leilani Bagby at the USGA at (719)
471-4810 (x38) lbagby@usga.org.
