Get Golf Ready Family Fun Zone Coming to Chicago, 1 of 1

September 13, 2012

Media Contacts:

Ashley Peden, PGA of America (), cell: 561-306-5150

Tammy Boclair, Alday Communications (), cell: 615-500-2930

Become a Play Golf America fan on Facebook - Facebook.com/PlayGolfAmerica

Get Golf Ready Family Fun Zone Coming to Chicago Areaas Part of 39th Ryder Cup

Free golf festival provides games and instruction for the entire family

One pair of practice round tickets for the 39th Ryder Cup will be given away at the event

Dundee Township, Ill. — The PGA of America and Illinois PGA Section is kicking off Ryder Cup Week in the Chicago area Sept. 23 (Sunday), by hosting a Get Golf Ready Family Fun Zoneat Meadowdale Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Get Golf Ready Family Fun Zone is a free golf festival featuring group lessons, games and other fun activities to encourage families in the Chicago community to play the game.

PGA and LPGA Professionals from the Illinois PGA Section will be on site providing tips and hosting group games based on Get Golf Ready and PGA Sports Academy powered by UnitedHealthcare programming,making the event a fun and memorable experience for everyone. Activitieswill include:

  • Full swing on the range
  • Putting green instruction
  • Short game activities featuring Golf-Zilla, a 20-foot inflatable dinosaur with golf targets in his mouth, hands and stomach
  • Golf fitness activities
  • Kwik Golf, an exciting and energetic golf game for all ages with the focus on getting your ball in the hole as fast as you can
  • Fun golf games

“We are excited to bring our Get Golf Ready Family Fun Zone to the Chicago area as part of the Ryder Cup experience,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “Our PGA and LPGA Professionals look forward to introducing the game to even more fans in Chicago by giving free instruction at Meadowdale Park. We want everyone to come out and discover how much fun golf is for the entire family.”

Fans attending the Get Golf Ready Family Fun Zone will have a chance to win a pair of 39th Ryder Cup practice round tickets for Sept. 25 (Tuesday).

Participants at the Family Fun Zone will also receive information fromlocal PGA and LPGA Professionals about Get Golf Ready, Family Golf and other programs at local courses, giving them the opportunity to continue their interest in golf after the Ryder Cup. More than 120 Chicago-area facilities are registered to host Get Golf Ready.

-- more --

Get Golf Ready, now in its fourth year, is designed to bring adults into the game in a fast, fun, affordable manner. It targets the millions of adults in the United States who have never played golf or who have minimal experience in the game. It offers five lessons that concentrate on basic skills, instruction and information on the Rules of golf, etiquette and values. Participants will learn techniques regarding chipping and putting, full swing and bunker play, as well as the fundamental guidelines of use and maintenance of golf equipment, keeping score and navigating the course. Most facilities offer the program for an affordable $99, although price varies by facility. Currently, more than 2,900 facilities are certified to host Get Golf Ready, including more than 120 facilities in the Chicago area. Consumers can learn more about the program and find a local participating facility at GetGolfReady.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.

###