PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Building on its role as the "Experts in the Game and Business of Golf," The PGA of America announces the release of two new online solutions to further connect The PGA brand to the golfing public. These initiatives are a result of the new logo and brand strategy unveiled in January that brings a renewed focus on PGA Professionals and enhances the Association's digital strategy to help direct golfers to their local PGA Professionals for everything golf.

PGA ProFinder
PGA ProFinder, located on PGA.com, is the new online searchable directory of all PGA Professionals and PGA-staffed facilities.

Golf enthusiasts from beginner to expert can use this state-of-the-art online tool to search for and locate PGA Professionals and facilities in their area that offer instruction, clinics, events, leagues and general playing opportunities. Consumers can search PGA ProFinder via zip code, course name, PGA Professional's name or city. Some 28,000 PGA Professionals and more than 11,000 PGA-staffed facilities are listed on PGA ProFinder.

Beyond basic directory listings, PGA ProFinder incorporates information about places to play and services available at PGA-staffed facilities across the country. If a facility participates in Play Golf America, the listing will also include a direct link to their detailed page on PlayGolfAmerica.com, the primary resource that links consumers with fun, affordable golf programs.

With continuous enhancements, PGA ProFinder will become the definitive source of online information about PGA Professionals, their facilities, services, events, activities, rates, and capabilities in order to connect visitors to PGA.com with PGA Professionals for golf services.

"As PGA ProFinder expands, consumers will have immediate access to a deep and varied selection of services offered by PGA Professionals," says PGA President Brian Whitcomb. "Golfers will recognize that PGA ProFinder is the ultimate destination for local opportunities to learn the game from the recognized experts, and to find general playing opportunities in their area."

PGA Golf Instruction Video Series
As the gold standard in golf instruction, PGA of America teachers are the focal point in a series of DVDs titled "PGA Golf Instruction Video Series," produced by Turner Sports, a division of Time Warner.

Leading PGA instructors in the first DVD are PGA Teachers of the Year Laird Small, Peter Krause and Bill Forrest, plus other award winning-PGA instructors such as Kevin Weeks, Dr. Gary Wiren and Mike Malaska. Rick Martino, PGA director of instruction, is also featured.

The first DVD was recently sent nationwide to some 1 million households, which have the option to purchase the video and continue to receive additional DVDs.

Consumers can visit http://www.pga.com/instruction/dvdseries/ to learn more about the DVD series, view video clips, request a free preview DVD and locate a PGA instructor in their area through PGA ProFinder.

Some of the other recent means of promoting the expertise of PGA Professionals can be found through the:

--Re-launch of PGA.com, with an added emphasis on instruction
--PGA Professionals' Guide to Travel on PGA.com: Expert travel advice from PGA Professionals
--American Express Friend of a Cardmember Program: American Express Cardmembers can take a private lesson from a PGA Professional registered for this program and bring a friend along at no extra charge

In the coming months, The PGA of America and its partners will also launch:

--The PGA Professionals' Guide to Instruction
--A broadband show on PGA.com featuring women who make golf a priority. Featured guests include Shannon Miller, former Olympic gold medalist; Lynn Morgan, past president of the Women's United Soccer Association; and Jennifer Storms, senior vice president marketing and programming, Turner Sports.

About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: 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 Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, 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.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.