PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) are encouraging everyone to introduce daughters, granddaughters and nieces to the game of golf during Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, July 9-15. More than 1,000 participating facilities across the country will offer free green fees to girls accompanied by a paying adult, with many facilities also offering free clinics for young ladies.

Five-year old Carys Fennessy and her father, Matt, enjoy a day on the golf course together at Nippo Lake Golf Club in Barrington, N.H. (Photo: Nancy Mason)

Designed to promote overall participation in golf, especially among girls and their families, Take Your Daughter to the Course Week is one of many Family Golf Month programs held in July. Family Golf Month provides a structured, yet casual, opportunity for families to learn the game of golf and spend uninterrupted quality time together. More than 2,200 facilities are participating in Family Golf Month activities throughout the country.

"Take Your Daughter to the Course Week has become a Family Golf Month staple," said Anne Lyndrup, NGCOA Director of Player Development. "The week-long program helps introduce young women to the game of golf while also promoting Family Golf Month's mission of family togetherness.

"Given the number of facilities registered to participate in Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, we hope to see more young women interested in the game and more families enjoying time together on the golf course," added Lyndrup.

Tina Maiorino, Managing Member of the Nippo Lake Golf Club in Barrington, N.H., has supported Take Your Daughter to the Course Week since its inception through advertising and hosting clinics taught by PGA Professional Rick Rogers, who has been with Nippo Lake for 24 years. Along with the free golf instruction, Maiorino makes her event even more fun by providing goody bags for the participants.

"I strongly believe that this program helps introduce girls to the game of golf," said Maiorino. "Programs for women and juniors are so important; we see women who previously never picked up a club or never knew anything about the game now playing in leagues. They're confident, they score well, and they have fun."

Maiorino stresses the importance of providing free family programs. She partners with her members, employees and many area businesses to host Take Your Child to the Course Week in June, which allows juniors (six-to-17) to play nine holes of golf from the U.S. Kid's Tees and children under six-years old to receive instruction from volunteers on the putting green and driving range facility. A barbecue is provided all afternoon for the families with food donated by area businesses. This program drives attendance to her Take Your Daughter to the Course Week event held in July.

For more information on Play Golf America, Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, or any other Family Golf Month activity, visit PlayGolfAmerica.com. The site allows users to find and register at participating facilities in their area by searching their city or zip code.

The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

About the NGCOA
The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit ngcoa.org or call 1-800-933-4262.