PGA Professionals Make Impact In Growing The Game - Second Wave Of PGA Growth Of The Game Grants Awarded

Contact Beth Gast
Alday-Waynick Communications
615-791-1535 ext. 1201
bmccombs@aldaywaynick.com
or Jamie Roggero-Carbone
PGA of America
561-624-8446
jroggero@pgahq.com

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - A second wave of 50 grants totaling nearly $700,000 has been awarded from The PGA of America's Growth of the Game Grant Program. These grants will assist PGA Professionals in their efforts to introduce the game to thousands of new and diverse participants. Through The PGA grant program and numerous other growth of the game initiatives, PGA Professionals continue to have a positive impact on communities nationwide and are at the forefront in growing the game.

The grants will be given to programs that have been founded or are administered by PGA Professionals. Combined with grants awarded in January, this year's total donation from The PGA Growth of the Game program is nearly $1.2 million for a combined 83 grant recipients.

"It is clear that these grants make a great deal of difference by supporting the efforts of PGA Professionals to grow the game of golf through increased participation," said PGA President Jack Connelly. "More importantly, however, by funding these programs we can help our members to use golf as a positive tool to enhance the quality of life of those taking part, and to contribute something meaningful to the communities in which they take place."

The community outreach of the 50 PGA grant recipients impacts a multitude of segments of society. These include: youths of diverse cultural, racial and economic backgrounds; seniors; families of U.S. servicemen; amputees; visually and hearing impaired; and college students. In addition to PGA instructional elements provided, many of these programs encompass fundamentals that teach life skills, community building and employment skills. They also provide opportunities for academic and golf college scholarships.

The PGA Growth of the Game grant program is just one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation. Since 1999 alone, spending on grants for growth of the game and community outreach have totaled more than $20 million. For more information on The PGA Growth of the Game grant program, please log on to www.pgafoundation.com or contact The PGA Foundation at 561/624-7612.