PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America has joined forces with Sticks for Kids, an outreach program funded by the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) Foundation, to provide specialized instruction and free use of junior clubs at participating facilities throughout the country.

The Sticks for Kids program is centered on the philosophy that every child, regardless of socioeconomic status, should have the opportunity to play golf. Courses that participate in the program receive 10 sets of youth clubs that are available for use at no charge throughout the year. The PGA of America has recommended courses throughout the country to partner the program with The PGA Sports Academy powered by UnitedHealthcare, which recently won the 2012 Golf Digest Junior Golf Development Award.

The relationship between the two youth endeavors will provide young golfers with free equipment and award-winning instruction to help them to learn the game, all without having to make a large financial investment.

"We are excited to join forces with Sticks for Kids on this important mission to expand the opportunities in the game of golf for youth of all backgrounds," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "The cost of loving our game can be considerable for individuals or families, and the Sticks for Kids program is a great way to share the game with children at little or no cost to them or their parents. It's important that The PGA of America support any program that makes clubs more accessible, and this program does exactly that."

In addition to pairing the Sticks for Kids program with The PGA Sports Academy, The PGA of America is also utilizing its PGA Professionals to implement and monitor the use of the free junior clubs in order to provide valuable feedback to the GCBAA about growing the Sticks for Kids program in future years.

Since its inception in 1997, 560 Sticks for Kids grants have been awarded to golf courses, park and recreation communities, and various youth serving organizations. The program emphasizes the rules of golf, etiquette, discipline, integrity, safety and environmental stewardship in addition to the opportunity for outdoor physical activity. The Program currently has 450 sites impacting the lives of over 63,000 children in all 50 states and 17 international military bases.

For more information, or to find a local course participating in Sticks for Kids, visit SticksforKids.org or PlayGolfAmerica.com.

About 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 GCBAA and the GCBAA Foundation
The Golf Course Builders Association of America is a non-profit trade association of the world's foremost golf course builders and leading suppliers to the golf course construction industry. It was founded in the early 1970s, and its members represent all segments of the golf course industry. The GCBAA Foundation is the charitable arm of the GCBAA and a separate, 501(c)(3) organization. The GCBAA's national executive office is located in Lincoln, Neb. For more information, visit gcbaa.org or call (402) 476-4444.