Women encouraged to go for the green

DETROIT — OK, all you golf widows: It’s time to learn what inspires your dearest to abandon you to smack around a little white ball on the weekends.

Thanks to the PGA of America’s grow-the-game initiative, women around the country can have a free foot in the door during Women’s Golf Week, Saturday through June 9.

The program, sponsored by American Express and Golf for Women magazine, will feature complimentary instruction, club fitting, rules and etiquette seminars, fashion shows, luncheons and several other programs aimed at getting women 14 years and older out on the course. Just visit www.playgolfamerica.com and click on the Women’s Golf Week link. Type in the name of your town or a nearby town to find out which local clubs are participating. For instance, Pheasant Run Golf Club, a 27-hole facility in Canton, Mich., offers a free one-hour clinic Saturday and a two-for-one deal on greens fees for the week.

“The goal of Women’s Golf Week is to introduce more women to the wonderful game of golf and help them to become comfortable on the golf course,” PGA of America president Brian Whitcomb said in a statement. “Women represent a growing demographic in golf and we are pleased to have our PGA professionals play a major role in Women’s Golf Week.”