World Golf Foundation's GOLF 20/20 Announces New Player Development Program

Get Golf Ready Seeks to Connect Adults to Golf

St. Augustine, Florida (November 11, 2008) – GOLF 20/20, the World Golf Foundation’s initiative focused on the development and support of programs to grow interest and participation in the game of golf, today announced the creation of a new adult player development program, Get Golf Ready. Approximately 250 golf industry leaders were on hand at the 2008 GOLF 20/20 Forum at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida to learn the details of the new industry initiative.

Get Golf Ready is targeted to the millions of U.S. adults who have never played golf, or who have minimal previous connection to the game. Participants will be provided with skills training as well as background on the game’s rules, etiquette and values. The initiative is designed to bring adults into the game in a comfortable, enjoyable manner through a series of five introductory lessons in a small-group environment. Each of the five sessions features significant on-course learning opportunities. The program will be offered in many locations at $99, although pricing may vary by facility.

Beginning in 2009, Get Golf Ready programs will be offered at several hundred golf facilities around the U.S., with a goal of having 3,000 facilities offering the program by the end of 2011.
“We are excited about Get Golf Ready and its potential to expand the industry’s customer base,” said Joe Steranka, PGA of America’s CEO and Chairman of GOLF 20/20’s Executive Committee. “We feel this program and curriculum will be successful in bringing more people to the game based on the extensive work and research that has been previously accomplished through industry initiatives such as Play Golf America and Link Up 2 Golf. Now, we’re able to take an important step forward by having the entire industry collaborate on the development, roll-out and support of this new initiative.”

In addition to providing the basic skills instruction, Get Golf Ready sessions will offer participants the opportunity to understand the game’s etiquette, rules and values. The education and insights will be provided in a way that gets people on the golf course as a fundamental part of the learning experience. Following the completion of the five-session program, students will be offered the opportunity to smoothly transition into other playing opportunities, such as leagues, family programs and additional instruction.
A unique feature of the Get Golf Ready roll-out is that each facility that agrees to offer the designated curriculum and use the Get Golf Ready brand in local market promotional efforts will be eligible to receive a stipend of up to $1,000 from World Golf Foundation.
Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation, said “The enthusiastic response we are receiving from all segments of the industry for this program is extremely gratifying. It’s clear that golf’s leaders are energized by the prospect of this new initiative helping to grow interest and participation in our game.”

Today’s announcement of Get Golf Ready will be followed by a number of additional steps leading to the full roll-out in the Spring of 2009. A new website,
GetGolfReady.com, will be launched as a site for consumers to learn more about the new program and for facilities to sign up as participating sites. Those facilities signing up to offer Get Golf Ready will be provided with a package of basic curriculum, branding, educational and marketing materials to ensure the program’s consistency across the country.
Leadership for the development of the new Get Golf Ready initiative has been provided by GOLF 20/20’s Executive Committee, consisting of a broad cross-section of industry leaders. Significant aspects of the program fell under the auspices of the Player Development Committee (chaired by Cindy Davis, President of Nike Golf), Research Committee (chaired by Joe Barrow, CEO of The First Tee and World Golf Foundation EVP) and Communications Committee (chaired by Page Thompson, President of GOLF CHANNEL).
The new program’s name, logo, graphics and creative executions were developed by GSD&M Idea City, a leading national branding, marketing and advertising firm with headquarters in Austin, Texas.

Note: The full text of GOLF 20/20’s Get Golf Ready presentations by Cindy Davis, Joe Barrow and Page Thompson may be reviewed on golf2020.com

About World Golf Foundation

The World Golf Foundation is a nonprofit organization that unites the golf industry and those who love the game in support of initiatives that promote, enhance the growth of, and provide access to the game of golf worldwide, while preserving golf’s traditional values and passing them on to others. The Foundation, which was founded in 1993 and is supported by major international golf organizations and professional Tours, provides oversight to World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee, GOLF 20/20 and other industry initiatives in support of its mission.