FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		Contact:  Steve Gerrish, The First Tee
January 29, 2009		(904) 940-4314

                
THE FIRST TEE ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP
WITH GOLFER DENNIS WALTERS

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The First Tee has announced that world renowned trick shot artist and paraplegic golfer Dennis Walters will represent The First Tee at several PGA TOUR tournaments and other scheduled events in 2009.

As part of the partnership, Walters will serve as a spokesman for The First Tee, helping to communicate the mission and values of The First Tee during nearly 100 Dennis Walters Golf Shows throughout 2009, including four PGA TOUR tournaments.  He will also make special guest appearances at three Chapters of The First Tee.

“Dennis Walters is an extraordinarily inspirational individual,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee.  “We are pleased he will be joining us to share with our participants his story of courage, perseverance and determination to overcome obstacles in his life.”

Walters suffered a golf cart accident 34 years ago that left him a paraplegic.  Since 1977, he has traveled the country devoting his life to entertaining and inspiring others through his motivational shows.  An honorary PGA Member, Walters has performed more than 2,700 shows and has been honored with numerous awards, including the 2008 PGA Distinguished Service Award and the Ben Hogan Award by the Golf Writers Association of America. Walters will be joined in 2009 by his new canine assistant, Bucky.

“My goal is to inspire others to reach for their dreams, strive for excellence, and do something in their life that they never thought they could do,” said Walters.

For more information about Dennis Walters, please visit www.denniswalters.com.

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About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine, FL at World Golf Village, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame.  Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.  Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.9 million participants and students in 49 states and four international locations – Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore.   Former President George H. W. Bush serves as honorary chairman.  The Founding Partners of The First Tee are the Augusta National Golf Club, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA.