PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- People across the United States have an opportunity to improve their golf game throughout the month of May by participating in Play Golf America's PGA Free Lesson Month.

As a part of the 11th annual event, thousands of PGA and LPGA Professionals at golf facilities across the nation will offer free, 10-minute golf lessons to new and existing golfers of all ages and skill levels. Launched in 1998 by The PGA of America and Golf Digest, PGA Free Lesson Month has provided more than 820,000 personal sessions for player development throughout the past 10 years.

Play Golf America's PGA Free Lesson Month is designed to bring new people to the sport and help existing golfers improve their game with free instruction. Consumers can find updated lists of participating PGA and LPGA Professionals nearby by entering their zip code at PlayGolfAmerica.com.

Last year, more than 6,630 PGA and LPGA professionals gave 115,500 free lessons at more than 5,300 golf facilities nationwide. On average, each instructor gave 17 free lessons. PGA Professionals indicated that 56 percent of all lessons were given to new customers. Thirty percent of the lesson takers were women. And about one of every four participants was new to the game of golf.

"Golfers across the country have an opportunity to get free expert instruction from a PGA or LPGA Professional in their area," said Brian Whitcomb, president of The PGA of America. "We are proud to partner with Golf Digest Publications, GOLF CHANNEL and Nike Golf to help give golfers of all ages and skill levels a chance to improve their game and give others an opportunity to learn the game."

PGA Free Lesson Month, one of the most successful growth-of-the-game initiatives in the golf industry, is a collaborative campaign spearheaded by The PGA of America, Golf Digest, GOLF CHANNEL, Golf For Women and Golf World. Nike Golf is the official program sweepstakes sponsor and will donate $1 per sweepstakes card (up to 15,000) to the Tiger Woods Foundation and subsidize a complimentary subscription to Golf Digest.

Golf Digest Publications has teamed with The PGA of America since the first PGA Free Lesson Month in 1998 and has promoted the event in Golf Digest, Golf For Women, Golf World and GolfDigest.com to a combined audience of nearly 10 million readers.

"PGA Free Lesson Month has been a huge success in attracting new players to the game," said Jerry Tarde, chairman and editorial director of Golf Digest Publications. "The numbers get bigger every year. PGA and LPGA Professionals by the thousands give 10-minute lessons at no cost to anybody who signs up. We couldn't be prouder to have such a committed partner as The PGA of America."

Golf Digest Publications has teamed with The PGA of America since the campaign's inception. Golf Digest's May issue features PGA Free Lesson Month, along with a roster of PGA Professionals nationwide offering free 10-minute lessons. There is also an insert sweepstakes card for readers to sign up for a free lesson and register to win a golf getaway vacation. In addition, the program is featured in the May/June issue of Golf For Women, the April 11 issue of the weekly Golf World, www.GolfDigest.com and www.golfforwomen.com.

GOLF CHANNEL has partnered with The PGA of America to support PGA Free Lesson Month for six consecutive years. GOLF CHANNEL promotes PGA Free Lesson Month through television programming and on the Web at GOLFCHANNEL.com, reaching more than 110 million viewers. The Grand Prize for the PGA Professional who gives the most lessons during PGA Free Lesson Month and sends in the most validated Sweepstakes Cards is an appearance on "The Turn," GOLF CHANNEL's instructional program airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET.

Nike Golf, in its capacity as the official sweepstakes sponsor for a sixth consecutive year, is supplying prizes for the PGA Free Lesson Month sweepstakes. Prizes include a custom-fit set of Nike golf clubs and bag for the Grand Prize Amateur Winner and PGA/LPGA Professional giving the most lessons. The 100 runners-up (chosen at random) will receive one dozen Nike Ignite golf balls plus a PGA First Swing Guide. Nike Golf will donate $1 per sweepstakes card (up to 15,000) to the Tiger Woods Foundation and subsidize a complimentary subscription to Golf Digest.

"We are thrilled to be expanding our involvement in PGA Free Lesson Month for a sixth consecutive year," said Cindy Davis, U.S. General Manager for Nike Golf. "We are proud to provide our support to PGA Professionals in this important mission to help further golf participation, while also contributing to an important charitable cause."

SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS:
One amateur participant will receive a two-day/two-night golf getaway to The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., including hotel accommodations, round-trip economy airfare, a two-day session at The PGA Golf School and a custom-fit set of golf clubs and bag from Nike Golf. The 100 runners-up (chosen at random) will receive one dozen Nike Ignite golf balls plus a PGA First Swing Guide. The PGA Professional giving the most lessons and sends in their validated sweepstakes cards will win an appearance on "The Turn," GOLF CHANNEL's instructional program airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET. The prize also includes a three-day golf getaway to Orlando, including hotel accommodations, round-trip economy airfare and a custom-fit set of golf clubs and bag from Nike Golf.

PGA Free Lesson Month is one of several programs designed to grow and stimulate participation in the game of golf under the Play Golf America campaign, a national marketing initiative supported by the golf industry. All participating PGA/LPGA professionals in Play Golf America programs can be found on the industry-supported Web site PlayGolfAmerica.com. Play Golf America was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the PGA Tour, the USGA and others involved in Golf 20/20.

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.

Visit PGA.com or PlayGolfAmerica.com to learn more.

As the longest-running women's professional sports organization in the world, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) features a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and dedicated teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Today's LPGA Tour features the most talented global sampling of professional athletes competing in 35 events on six continents with total prize money of more than $60 million. In addition to its dynamic Tour members, nearly 1,200 certified T&CP members serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf. The not-for-profit LPGA's vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world. Its Mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to LPGA.com.