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Gov. Locke Helps Announce The First Tee Of Greater Seattle Barrow Throws Out First Pitch and The First Tee of San Antonio Breaks Ground Contact Amy Caruso SEATTLE, Wash. (April 23, 2003) - Governor Gary Locke today joined Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and City officials along with Executive Director of The First Tee Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., to announce The First Tee of Greater Seattle as an official Chapter of The First Tee. The announcement took place at Jefferson Park Golf Course, the site of the new facility. "I know participation in sports is a vital component in the development of our children," Locke said. "Learning the game of golf provides children with opportunities to learn new life skills, experience competition and enhance self-esteem. That is why I am pleased and proud to be a part of raising awareness and support for The First Tee Experience." Executive Director of The First Tee of Greater Seattle, Cathy Wagner, said the Chapter plans to launch its inaugural program in June of this year. Additional goals for 2003 include adding clinics at Jackson Park Golf Course, recruiting mentors and holding a series of fund-raising events. By the end of 2004, the Chapter expects to establish three The First Tee facilities in the area with the capacity to introduce The First Tee Life Skills & Golf Experience to 750 young people ages 8 to 18. "It is my hope that the lessons the youngsters learn through The First Tee will help them develop values they will carry into adulthood," Nickels said. "I'm delighted to welcome The First Tee of Greater Seattle and all of its supporters to The First Tee Network," Barrow said. "The true benefit of the facility will be watching the growth and development of the young people who participate in The First Tee Life Skills & Golf Experience and move on to become mentors and leaders in the community." Following his remarks, Barrow presented a check for $150,000 to The First Tee of Greater Seattle on behalf of the World Golf Championships - NEC Invitational, which took place last August at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, WA. Also as part of the day's festivities, Barrow, with the support of five participants from The First Tee of Greater Seattle, will be on the mound at SAFECO Field to throw out the first pitch as the Seattle Mariners take on the Cleveland Indians later this evening. Formed by volunteers in 2001, the development of The First Tee of Greater Seattle was initiated by Steve Hall, General Manager of the Broadmoor Golf Club, and began as a collaborative effort with representatives of the Broadmoor Golf Club Foundation, the board of Municipal Golf of Seattle and The First Tee Home Office. The Board of Directors of the Broadmoor Golf Club voted to award The First Tee of Greater Seattle a $30,000 grant to assist its program of golf training and education for young people of the Greater Seattle area who would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn the game of golf or the life lessons it teaches. The Broadmoor Golf Club Foundation was formed three years ago to provide its members with a vehicle for promoting junior golf and education under the Broadmoor Golf Club umbrella. Members of the club generously contribute funds to the foundation. The Jefferson Park Golf Course was designed and built in 1917 by Scotsman Thomas Bendelow, one of America's pioneer golf architects. Other notable courses designed by Bendelow include Medinah Country Club and Dubsdread Country Club. Earlier this month in San Antonio, TX, a group of area youth used clubs instead of shovels to break ground for The First Tee of San Antonio with a ceremonial "chip shot" at the Polo Field practice facility. The first phase of the project will feature three playing holes and two target greens, as well as new putting and chipping greens. Nearly 300 young people have been involved in The First Tee of San Antonio since it began in 2001. The First Tee of San Antonio eventually will include classroom space and a library in the facility's clubhouse, which will be renovated as part of Phase II of the project. The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to giving young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. The First Tee currently has 116 golf learning facilities open and operating across North America that are dedicated to impacting the lives of young people. The World Golf Foundation, which is supported by each of the major international organizations and professional tours, oversees The World Golf Hall of Fame and other nonprofit components of World Golf Village near St. Augustine, FL. As sole founding partner of World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support to the World Golf Foundation and supports its charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, thereby promoting scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf.
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