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NGCOA Receives Junior Development Award from Golf Digest Contact Wendy W. Saari CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 25, 2003) - The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) received the Golf Digest Junior Development Association Award for commitment to junior golf, as noted in the June issue of Golf Digest. NGCOA offers a wide range of award winning player development initiatives through the Get Linked Play Golf program. Junior programs include Kids On Course, a partnership with the USGA Foundation, and Take Your Daughter to the Course Week. Through the Kids On Course program in partnership with the USGA Foundation, economically disadvantaged juniors are offered discounted green fees at participating NGCOA member courses. More than 200 courses are partnered with USGA Foundation supported programs across the country. Last year approximately 60,000 rounds were played for $1.00 or for free through this initiative. Take Your Daughter to the Course Week is July 7-13, 2003. Courses around the country will offer free green fees to young ladies accompanied by a paying adult, as well as free clinics and other special events. Participating courses are listed on www.getlinkedplaygolf.com. This is the fourth year of the event. Last year over 9,800 girls took advantage of this program. Suzy Whaley, the first woman to qualify for a PGA tour event since Babe Zaharias in 1945, has been named as spokesperson. "We are honored to be recognized by Golf Digest magazine," said Mike Hughes, NGCOA executive director. "Through our partnership with the USGA Foundation in the Kids on Course initiative and the grass roots efforts of our members in Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, a new world of experiences are being provided to our nation's youth. We are proud of the positive role NGCOA member courses have played in the lives of so many young golfers." NGCOA, an international association representing over 5,200 courses, has a record of long-standing commitment to player development through its Get Linked Play Golf program, created in 1998. In addition to Take Your Daughter to the Course Week and Kids On Course, NGOCA sponsors Beginner Friendly Certification. Over 600 courses have been certified as offering special programs for new players. NGCOA provides educational and marketing materials on player development to its membership, and an email bulletin board so that courses may exchange ideas. The best practices are shared through Golf Business magazine, Golf Business Journal, and at the NGCOA annual conference. NGCOA hosts www.getlinkedplaygolf.com, a web site devoted entirely to the beginning golfer of any age. NGCOA is also a founding member of Golf 20/20, and administers the Link Up 2 Golf program jointly with the PGA of America. |