PGA official patrons' fan experiences attract more than 100,000

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -– While newly crowned PGA Champion Keegan Bradley captured his first Wanamaker Trophy, PGA Official Patrons attracted large numbers of participants to their engaging fan experiences and promotions during the 93rd PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga. More than 100,000 spectators participated in the fan experiences.

The PGA Learning Center presented by American Express featured complimentary lessons from PGA and LPGA Professionals, putting greens and educational presentations, along with special benefits for American Express® Cardmembers (NYSE: AXP). Cardmembers and fans also had the opportunity to win 25,000 Delta SkyMiles three times a day at the "Closest to the Hole" golf simulator and pick up complimentary CourseCast Radios for play-by-play commentary and live updates from Sirius XM.

The PGA Fan Experience presented by RBC enabled spectators to receive a professional analysis of their golf swing; design their own RBC golf bag for Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk or Anthony Kim and star in their own golf ad with another member of Team RBC.

The PGA Performance Center presented by Mercedes-Benz offered a putting analysis from PGA Professionals, an AMG Virtual Drive to win a trip to the AMG Driving Academy, a display of five 2012 launch vehicles and a 180-degree photo sequence of one's golf swing. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Performance Drive Hole-In-One Challenge allowed spectators a chance to win a 2012 ML350 (base model) for making an ace on the par-3 hole of the Riverside Course.

Across the three fan experience areas, 12,500 spectators benefited from direct instruction and performance expertise from 165 PGA and LPGA Professionals. Meanwhile, Loren Krueger of Onalaska, Wis., led a fitness-focused crowd of spectators who used 25,000 pedometers distributed free as part of the Let's Move On Course! promotion sponsored by the Hospital for Special Surgery. Krueger, 73, reported the most steps taken throughout the week, walking 121,227 paces over six days – the equivalent of 60 miles. The average participant walked 11,448 steps or just over 5 miles each, and ranged from six to 90 years old in age.

About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: 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 a multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable 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.