2006 American Express(TM) Women's Golf Week Presented by Golf For Women Magazine Set for June 3-10

2006 American Express(TM) Women's Golf Week Presented by Golf For Women Magazine Set for June 3-10

The Event Benefits the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women Movement

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- American Express(TM) Women's Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine is scheduled June 3-10 at a record 565 golf facilities across the country -- more than doubling the number of locations hosting the event last year. The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women Movement is the official beneficiary of the event. Joining title sponsor American Express are presenting sponsor Golf For Women magazine and national sponsors Cobra Golf, Lady Fairway, Golfsmith and Nike Golf.

"Women represent a critical demographic for the growth of golf," said The PGA of America President Roger Warren. "American Express Women's Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine is specifically designed to provide a fun way for women to connect with the game in a stress-free atmosphere among their peers. Our goal is to more than double participation in 2006."

The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement is a nationwide campaign dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women, and inspiring women to take charge of their heart health.

"The American Heart Association is very pleased to have the support of American Express Women's Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine," said Karen Murray, Group President, Liz Claiborne, Inc., chair of the American Heart Association's Women and Heart Disease Advisory Group. "These valuable relationships with Go Red For Women advance the reach of the movement and enhance the strength of our collective voice to fight heart disease in women. Together we can fight women's No. 1 killer and help women love their hearts."

During the American Express Women's Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine, all host golf facilities will offer complimentary golf instruction to women 14 years of age and older. Host facilities may also offer a variety of other activities, including networking receptions, golf rules and etiquette seminars, club fitting and equipment demonstrations, golf apparel fashion shows, luncheons, playing experiences and contests. A portion of the proceeds from fundraising activities along with individual contributions collected at the events will be donated to Go Red For Women.

Go Red For Women provides women with tips and information on healthy eating, exercise and risk factor reduction including smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management.

American Express Women's Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine is the culmination of a joint effort between The PGA of America, GOLF 20/20, PGA TOUR, LPGA, the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the United States Golf Association (USGA), The First Tee and the Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA) aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and to make learning and playing golf fun in a women-friendly environment.

The event was developed in response to input from golf industry leaders at the 2004 GOLF 20/20 Conference and is part of the Play Golf America campaign. Consumers can find a complete list of participating facilities, along with details on specific events and online registration, by zip code on http://www.playgolfamerica.com/ .

"The American Express Women's Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine is a ground-breaking initiative that may be unique to all of sports," said Ruffin Beckwith, Executive Director of GOLF 20/20. "Based on the response to our debut event in 2005, the event is fast on its way to becoming the golf industry's premier golf player development vehicle for women. We applaud the efforts of our partner organizations, who have come together with a shared goal of helping to grow the sport of golf."

The event's official logo was redesigned to incorporate the Go Red For Women "red dress" symbol. The logo now displays the figure of a woman golfer wearing a red dress.

Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult golfers, was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA TOUR, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference. The program utilizes the http://www.playgolfamerica.com/ Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

Source: The PGA of America

CONTACT: Tammy Boclair, Alday Communications, +1-615-791-1535, ext. 26,
or tammy@aldaycommunications.com, for The PGA of America

Web site: http://www.playgolfamerica.com/

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