Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. - The second annual American Express Women’s Golf Week presented by Golf For Women magazine is scheduled June 3-10 at hundreds of participating golf facilities throughout the country. The inaugural event was held last June with almost 10,000 women participating at 225 host facilities. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Movement is the official beneficiary of the event.
“Women represent a critical demographic for the growth of golf,” says PGA of America president Roger Warren. “Women’s Golf Week 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 Women’s Golf Week,” says Karen Murray, group president of Liz Claiborne and 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 Women’s Golf Week, all host golf facilities will offer complimentary golf instruction to women 14 years of age and older. Host facilities also are encouraged to offer a variety of 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 the Go Red For Women movement.
Women’s Golf Week is the culmination of a joint effort between The PGA of America, Golf 20/20, PGA Tour, LPGA, the National Golf Course Owners Association, the U.S. Golf Association, The First Tee and the Executive Women’s Golf Association to make learning and playing golf fun in a women-friendly environment.
Women’s Golf Week 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. Beginning in April, consumers can find a complete list of participating facilities, along with details on specific events and online registration, by zip code on www.playgolfamerica.com.
“Women’s Golf Week is a ground-breaking initiative that may be unique to all of sports,” says Ruffin Beckwith, executive director of Golf 20/20. “Based on the response to our debut event in 2005, Women’s Golf Week 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.”
