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GOLF 20/20 Refines 2003 Objectives Contact Melissa Ramsey PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (April 24, 2003) - Following a recent meeting of its Executive Board on March 27, GOLF 20/20, the industry-supported initiative dedicated to the growth of the game, has refined a number of major objectives for 2003 in the areas of adult player development, youth golf, and research. Adult Player Development. As announced recently, the PGA of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association are expanding Link Up 2 Golf, the adult player development program started by 20/20 two years ago, into some 30 markets this coming season. This expansion is just part of the PGA's new overall focus on player development, which was presented to the 20/20 Board by PGA President M.G. Orender. "We are very encouraged by the PGA's commitment to player development and applaud the recent announcements of specific programs," said Tim Finchem, Chairman of the Board of the World Golf Foundation, which oversees GOLF 20/20. "There are few organizations who have as much potential impact on the growth of golf as does the PGA, and to see this level of commitment bodes well for our success in developing players and stimulating growth of interest and participation." National School Golf Program. The Executive Board announced approval of a test during the 2003-2004 school year of GOLF 20/20's new National School Golf Program, which will introduce golf as a physical education activity in elementary schools across the country. Specific information about this program, including a list of test markets, will be forthcoming within the next month. Research. GOLF 20/20's two major areas of research in 2003 will be minority participation, and frequency of play. The GOLF 20/20 Diversity Task Force has requested more current and in-depth information on minority participation in order to set reasonable long-term participation goals and determine future strategies. Recent trends toward avid and core golfers playing fewer rounds requires accurate information on why people are playing less and what would return them to previous levels of play. Additionally, the staff is currently gathering available 2002 information on facility development, rounds of golf, interest, and participation and will be publishing its annual Industry Report, with a target publication date in mid-May. GOLF 20/20 is a four-year old initiative of the World Golf Foundation focused on aligning the golf industry behind programs that impact the growth of interest and participation in golf. To date it has been funded by contributions from the PGA TOUR, PGA of America, United States Golf Association, National Golf Course Owners Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association, and Ladies Professional Golf Association. The World Golf Foundation oversees the World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee, and the National Minority Golf Foundation, as well as GOLF 20/20. |