PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL--(Marketwired - April 26, 2016) - The Utah PGA Section and its high school girls golf program, led by Section Operations Director Annie Fisher and local PGA Professionals, was spotlighted on Golf Channel's Morning Drive program today (click here to view) in celebration of the PGA of America's Centennial.

/EINPresswire.com/ -- In 2004, very few high school-aged girls in the state were playing golf. Girls' high school golf teams were nearly non-existent, and most girls competed on boys' teams. Over the next four years, Fisher and the PGA Section worked with the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) to sanction girls teams, while Utah PGA Professionals created pilot programs encouraging girls to try the sport. The UHSAA officially sanctioned high school girls' golf in 2008.

Nine years later, more than 1,500 girls are participating statewide and more than 500 compete in the State Championship. Scholarships are being offered to these golfers, with many of Utah's colleges and universities recruiting in state. One of the program's success stories featured in the Spotlight is Emily Copier Jones, who played golf at Skyline High School (Salt Lake City) and is now a PGA Apprentice and assistant women's golf coach at BYU.

In celebration of its Centennial, PGA of America partnered with Golf Channel highlighting all 41 PGA Sections and their unique programs and initiatives. The features air on Golf Channel from Jan. 27-May 4, spanning 100 days in honor of the Centennial.

"In celebrating our Centennial, we honor 28,000 PGA Professionals all across the country," said PGA President Derek Sprague. "Each day, these men and women are growing the game and using golf to better lives in their communities with initiatives like those of the Utah PGA Section."

The spotlights run in conjunction with the #ThxPGAPro Centennial celebration social media campaign, where golfers everywhere can post videos, photos and messages in support of PGA Professionals on ThxPGAPro.com or through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Section Spotlights also will be featured prominently on ThxPGAPro.com.

About the PGA of America
Celebrating its Centennial, the PGA of America 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.

Media Contacts:
Hayley Wilson
Alday Communications, Inc.
hayley@aldaycommunications.com
615-791-1535 x28

Jamie Carbone
PGA of America
jcarbone@pgahq.com
561-624-8446

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