PGA World Alliance Rallies with Donations of $39,000...

PGA WORLD ALLIANCE RALLIES WITH DONATIONS OF $39,000 IN SUPPORT OF AFFLICTED MEMBERS TO AUSTRALIAN FLOOD RELIEF

(ACTON, ON) February 9, 2011 – The PGA World Alliance announced a donation of $39,000 in support of flood disaster relief for the Australian golf industry. The announcement was made yesterday by PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka and Professional Golfers’ Association Chief Executive Sandy Jones.

“As a member of the PGA World Alliance we are committed to assisting our friends in Australia during this difficult time”, said Canadian PGA Executive Director, Gary Bernard in response to the announcement. “Our industry is truly a worldwide family that brings us together on many levels and we are proud to extend a hand of support”.

Australia, one of the founding members of the PGA World Alliance, suffered devastating flooding from December 2010 through this month, which has left a trail of destruction in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The golf industry has rallied to support those affected through the Golf Industry Flood Disaster Relief Fund. Earliest reports indicated that at least 12 golf clubs in Australia were affected by surging floodwaters, which now extend into northern New South Wales.

The PGA World Alliance members include the Canadian PGA, The PGA of America, the Professional Golfers’ Association (of Great Britain & Ireland), PGA of Australia, PGAs of Europe, PGA of Germany, PGA of Japan, PGA of New Zealand, PGA of South Africa and the PGA of Sweden.

“Around 110 years ago, golf professionals came together to form the first PGA, with the objective of bringing benefit to all. Today, through the PGA World Alliance, we are demonstrating that PGA members around the world are still coming together to assist their colleagues in Australia who are facing tragic and difficult times. The strength of the PGA is the unity that it creates.” Said Professional Golfers’ Association Chief Executive Sandy Jones during the announcement.

The Golf Industry Flood Disaster Relief Fund is managed by Golf Australia, and has been supported by Australian industry organizations that include Golf Queensland, The PGA of Australia, Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG), Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association, Golf Management Australia, Australian Sporting Goods Association and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.

Click here for letter from PGA of Australia

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Media contact:
Kelly Dixon
Director of Communications & Marketing
Canadian PGA
kelly@cpga.com
800.782.5764 ext 234

About the Canadian PGA
Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com.

About The PGA World Alliance
The PGA World Alliance represents the interests of recognized PGAs throughout the world in providing standards for golf professionals by interacting with each other and developing programs that benefit all recognized organizations and their respective members and ultimately enhance the golf experience for consumers.

The PGA World Alliance membership includes Australia, Canada, Europe, Germany, Great Britain and Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the United States. The Alliance was created following a series of meetings in Great Britain, Australia and the United States, and was formalized in 2010 following the PGA World Conference in Orlando, Fla.