AKRON, OH (August 4, 2009) – Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee, today announced a new program to engage young touring professionals with participants of The First Tee. Anthony Kim, a third-year pro and two-time PGA TOUR winner, is the first player to partner with The First Tee for the program and will serve as co-chair.
“We are delighted Anthony has agreed to join us as co-chair and to mentor and inspire The First Tee participants as they learn valuable life skills through the game of golf,” said Barrow. “A.K.’s interest and leadership will encourage other PGA TOUR and LPGA professionals to become involved with The First Tee, ultimately impacting the lives of more and more participants across our Chapter network.”
The initiative, called the Young Ambassadors Council, formalizes player involvement with The First Tee in their hometowns, at tournament sites, fundraisers, and other special events. Kim, a Dallas resident, recently visited The First Tee of Dallas, hosting a clinic for 38 participants on the driving range, where he demonstrated shots, answered questions, signed autographs and posed for pictures.
“I am extremely enthusiastic about this opportunity to serve as a youth ambassador,” said Kim. “As I recently said to the young people at The First Tee of Dallas, I wish a program like The First Tee existed when I first picked up a club. I enjoy helping the kids develop confidence on the golf course and showing them how golf can impact other parts of their lives the way it has for me. I am really proud to take on this leadership role and be a part of the program on a national scale.”
“It is gratifying to see a young player like Anthony Kim set an example and choose to give back to golf through The First Tee,” said Tim Finchem, PGA TOUR commissioner. “The PGA TOUR is proud to be a Founding Partner of The First Tee. Over the last few years many PGA TOUR players have been involved with The First Tee, and we are pleased that a player of the caliber of Anthony Kim has decided to help launch this new initiative.”
Following the announcement, Kim joined Barrow and Don Padgett, executive director of the Bridgestone Invitational, on the first tee of Firestone Country Club’s South Course where Kim fielded questions from a group of young people from The First Tee Chapters located in Akron, Canton and Cleveland. Padgett also recognized winners from The First Tee essay contest.
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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 in 49 states, over 2,800 elementary schools and five international locations – Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore. Former President George H. W. Bush serves as honorary chairman. The First Tee Founding Partners are The Masters Tournament, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA.
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