In 2007, the Communications Department increased public and media awareness of the services provided by the national governing body of golf.

The USGA's Web site, at www.usga.org, is a main avenue of communications and use of our championship Web sites is increasing dramatically. In 2007, for example, page views on the U.S. Open site more than doubled to nearly 226 million and page views for the U.S. Women's Open went from slightly more than 29 million in 2006 to more than 48 million in 2007.

The site contains material on every aspect of the USGA, can be updated quickly and is a key part of the department's efforts to promote the USGA story.

Ongoing media relations work at all 13 national championships and the Walker Cup Match resulted in increased focus on the USGA. This is a growing challenge as each championship attracts greater media attention. The press contingent at the U.S. Open, for example, routinely exceeds 1,000, all of whom must be provided with increasing services and improved technology.

Promoting our USGA amateur championships includes hosting a yearly two-day seminar at Golf House for local committees from future sites.

The growing USGA membership approached nearly 950,000 in October, thus the publications Inside the USGA and the USGA Championship Annual reach an ever-wider audience. "Classic Shots," a book containing some of the Association's most memorable historic photographs, has been a valuable addition to the game's history.

The Publications area of the department produced more than 100 publications for distribution, including everything from "The Rules of Golf" to media guides and competition calendars. 

Additional public-service spots highlighting "For the Good of the Game" services were produced for television and "Spirit of the Game" videos were mailed to interested golfers.