NEW YORK, March 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The PGA of America and Bon Appétit are teeing off with presenting sponsor, Chase Sapphire Preferred®, to bring food and golf together in the kitchen and on the green. The program, "Champions of the Course," shares tips and personal rituals from top PGA Professionals and world-class chefs Masaharu Moriomoto, Susan Feniger, Jose Garces and Seamus Mullen.

"Golf and food have always gone together, whether you're grabbing a bite or a drink at the turn, or sitting down for lunch after a hard-won 18 holes," says Bon Appétit editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport. "This partnership takes this delicious tradition to an entirely new level."

Whether you are looking to improve your backswing or elevate your dinner party game, the "Champions of the Course" program will showcase exclusive instruction advice within custom content in the April, May, June and July issues of Bon Appétit, in anticipation of the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, July 25-31, 2016.

• Among the PGA Professionals to be featured in the monthly issues are:
• 2015 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Tom Henderson, PGA Head Professional at Round Hill Club in Greenwich, Conn.       
• 2015 LPGA Teacher of the Year and PGA Master Professional Alison Curdt, PGA Director of Instruction at Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley, Calif.
• 2015 OMEGA PGA Professional Player of the Year Matt Dobyns,
• PGA Head Professional, Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, N.Y.
• 2015 PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resorts) and PGA Master Professional Miles Blundell, PGA Director of Golf Operations, Turning Stone Resort Casino, in Verona, N.Y.
• 2016 PGA Championship Host Professional and New Jersey Golf HOF Member Doug Steffen, PGA Director of Golf at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.
• Derek Gutierrez, PGA Director of Golf/General Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club & Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M.
• Alice Plain, PGA Director of Golf, Vail (Colo.) Recreation District

"Good food and friends are part of the wonderful ambiance of the game of golf," said PGA President Derek Sprague. "The PGA of America is proud to once again join with our friends at Bon Appétit and Chase Sapphire Preferred to offer the expertise of some of our top PGA Professionals, as well as deliver a unique, world-class event for golf and food aficionados to enjoy."
 
Culminating on July 27th, the partnership comes to life as the PGA of America will host a private, golf-inspired "Champions of the Course" VIP event featuring A-list celebrity chefs during the 98th PGA Championship Week.
 
About Bon Appétit

Bon Appétit is where food and culture meet. The award-winning, No. 1 food lifestyle brand covers food through the lens of cooking, fashion, travel, technology, design, and home. The 2015 Advertising Age A List listed Bon Appétit brand of the year, the No. 1 magazine of the year and Bon Appétit & Epicurious | The Food Innovation Group publisher and vice president Pamela Drucker Mann as Publishing Executive of the Year. That marks four consecutive years Bon Appétit has placed on the Advertising Age A list and four years it has placed on the Adweek Hot List. Bon Appétit has also been nominated for 22 National Magazine Awards, including wins in 2014 for General Excellence and Photography.
 
About the PGA of America

Since its founding in 1916, the PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and grow interest and participation in the game of golf.  The PGA of America delivers world-class championships while building the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility for everyone, everywhere. Celebrating its Centennial, the PGA represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.
 
About Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred is a premier rewards credit card for people who are passionate about travel and dining. With Chase Sapphire Preferred you enjoy premium travel rewards and benefits with no travel restrictions or blackout dates on airfare booked through Ultimate Rewards; double points for every dollar spent on dining and travel; the Chip and Signature for international travel; no foreign transaction fees; 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs; 24/7 live customer service; access to exclusive card member experiences; and more. More information is available at www.chase.com/sapphire.

CONTACT: Bon Appetit
         Frederika_Brookfield@condenast.com
         
         PGA of America
         Jamie Carbone
         jcarbone@pgahq.com 
         561-624-8446