Welcome to Golf Month: Family, friends and fun in May

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The PGA of America, Golf Digest and Nike Golf have partnered to launch Welcome to Golf Month in May, a new Play Golf America program evolving from PGA Free Lesson Month. While free 10-minute lessons from PGA/LPGA Professionals are the foundation of Welcome to Golf Month, additional complimentary introductory programs, orientations and Get Golf Ready clinics are also part of the innovative month-long promotion.

More than 1.1 million people have received free 10-minute lessons in May since 1998 when The PGA of America and Golf Digest originally introduced PGA Free Lesson Month, one of the most successful growth-of-the-game initiatives in the golf industry.

"Golf is a game - a game with a ball and a stick that produces a ton of fun," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "Welcome to Golf Month is the perfect time to get out and give golf a try by taking a free 10-minute lesson or by participating in a free golf clinic. We encourage golfers to bring their family and friends to the course to share in the experience and have a great time together."

Welcome to Golf Month is the perfect time for lapsed golfers to come back to the game; new golfers to try the game; and avid golfers to bring a friend or family member to the game. Consumers can find Welcome to Golf Month programs in their area by going to PlayGolfAmerica.com/wtg and can find a "Beginner's Guide" on how to get started in the game at GolfDigest.com.

"As stewards of this great game, we are pleased to support Welcome to Golf Month," said Golf Digest Chairman & Editorial Director Jerry Tarde. "This month-long celebration of golf is a tremendous opportunity for our game to recruit new players, bring lapsed players back and expose it to the next generation of golfers."

Every golfer who participates in Welcome to Golf Month is encouraged to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a two-day/two-night getaway and golf school at The PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, Fla., or two sets of Nike golf clubs.

More than 3.3 million people have participated in Play Golf America programs since 2004. Since its inception, Play Golf America programs have provided millions of people with the opportunity to learn the game of golf and/or to be re-introduced to the game through free and affordable programs hosted by PGA and LPGA Professionals nationwide. Not only do the programs develop basic golf skills and techniques, but they also promote health and fitness principles while having fun spending time with family and friends.

Welcome to Golf Month is sponsored by Golf Digest, Nike Golf, and the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance.

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 Golf Digest:
Golf Digest, the world's foremost authority on how to play, what to play and where to play golf is part of Golf Digest Companies and is published by Condé Nast. Condé Nast is home to some of the world's most celebrated media brands. In the United States, Condé Nast publishes 18 consumer magazines, four business-to-business publications, 27 websites, and more than 50 apps for mobile and tablet devices, all of which define excellence in their categories. The company also owns Fairchild Fashion Media (FFM), whose portfolio of brands serves as the leading source of news and analysis for the global fashion community. Condé Nast has won more National Magazine Awards over the past ten years than all of its competitors combined. For more information, visit condenast.com or follow us on Twitter @CondeNastCorp.