The latest grow-the-game initiative from Golf 20/20 – Get Golf Ready – seems to be drawing an enthusiastic reception from course operators around the U.S.
Officials of the World Golf Foundation, which administers Golf 20/20, said that as of March 17, more than 800 facilities have been certified to hold Get Golf Ready programs during the coming year and another 250 have applied and are awaiting certification.
The original goal for the entire year was 700 certified facilities, according to Bob Combs, WGF senior vice president of communications, research and public affairs. Combs said he expects that several hundred more courses will seek certification in 2009.
Facilities that participate in the program can receive up to $1,000 in stipend from a $2.5 million support fund pledged by an industry coalition of more than 80 organizations and individuals.
Participating courses are located all across the country, however, Golf 20/20 officials have indicated they will seek to sign up a greater concentration of host site in six metropolitan areas – Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Portland, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.