19 Utah pros offer deal on free lessons

Want a free golf lesson? This is the month to do it.

Throughout May, amateur golfers and newcomers to the game nationwide can receive a free 10-minute golf lesson from a PGA professional through "Play Golf America," the annual growth-of-the-game initiative created by the PGA of America and Golf Digest to help golfers of all levels play the game better.

Now in its sixth year, Play Golf America includes more than 4,200 PGA professionals from across the country at more than 3,600 facilities. Last year, more than 4,000 PGA professionals provided a record 74,923 lessons at 3,773 facilities nationwide. The total number of lessons given by PGA professionals has increased 115 percent since the annual program's inception in 1998.

Nineteen professionals in Utah are participating in the program. They include Bob Wagner of Fore Lakes Golf Course, Paul Hammond of Golf Galaxy, Greg Cayais of Nibley Park, Ken Stenmark of Park City GC, Jonathan Linnett of Stonebridge, Felton Lancaster of Glenmoor, Chris Rudi of Hidden Valley CC, Steve Elliott of Rose Park, Dan Roskelley of Logan CC, Chris Marx of Eagle Mountain, Lori Putnam of Willow Creek CC, Mike Bicker of Lakeside, Kent Easton of Alpine CC, Robert McArthur of Riverside CC, Kip Van Dyke of Mt. Ogden, Erin Dauby of Wolf Creek, Jack Lomento and Tracy Zobell of Gladstan and Brent Wootton of Utahgolf.net.

"It's given us the chance to meet a lot of people and gives them a chance to see our course," said Elliott. "Plus some people have come back to have (paid) lessons."

To schedule a free lesson, golfers should call their participating PGA professional and complete a registration card, which will be avavilable at pro shops.

JUNIOR GOLF: The junior golf tournament season kicks off Saturday in St. George when more than 300 young golfers from throughout Utah will officially tee off the 2003 Utah Junior Golf Association season.

The St. George tournament marks the beginning of the 2003 UJGA schedule which includes more than 50 events for junior golfers age 7-18 at golf facilities throughout Utah. The UJGA, which is in its 19th year, includes different levels of competition for youth golfers. Enrollment is still available for the 2003 season. For more information, log on to www.ujga.org.