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British Open Champion Ben Curtis Participates In Grand Opening Of The First Tee Of Akron Facility will serve nearly 500 young people already participating in program Contact Amy Caruso AKRON, Ohio (August 20, 2003) - 2003 British Open Champion Ben Curtis today joined PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, The First Tee Executive Director Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. and Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic for the grand opening of The First Tee of Akron at Mud Run Park. "On behalf of The City of Akron, we are delighted to have Ben Curtis, Commissioner Finchem and Joe Barrow here to help us celebrate the grand opening of this facility," said Plusquellic. "In addition to learning the game of golf, The First Tee provides children with opportunities to learn new life skills, experience competition and enhance self-esteem, all qualities that will help them throughout their life." The new facility at Mud Run Park, designed by Craig Schreiner of Akron, was built on an 85-acre site that includes 59 acres of wetlands. The First Tee of Akron consists of a nine-hole par 34 golf course with a driving range and practice putting green. The learning center, which features a classroom for teaching Life Skills, opened June 17th. "It's very gratifying to see the response and enthusiasm from communities and leaders throughout the country, as evidenced here in Akron," said Finchem, who also serves as Chairman of the World Golf Foundation. "Regardless of how far these kids progress with golf, be it competitive or recreational, we can be assured that they already are getting an excellent foundation in etiquette and sportsmanship through The First Tee." The First Tee of Akron grew from a youth golf program that was created in 1996 and managed by the Akron Jaycees since 1997. Originally announced in 1999, The First Tee of Akron has been conducting The First Tee Life Skills & Golf Experience at the Edwin Shaw Challenge Course since 2000. The NEC Invitational has contributed significantly to the project through Northern Ohio Golf Charities, Inc., which has distributed millions of dollars to area charities throughout the years as the beneficiary of Akron's PGA TOUR event. "Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Mayor Plusquellic and the City of Akron along with the Northern Ohio Golf Charities, Akron Jaycees and a dedicated board of directors, participants at The First Tee of Akron now have a great facility to call home," said Barrow, who is also a Senior Vice President of the World Golf Foundation. "Our hope is that the impact of The First Tee on these young individuals will be to provide them with a multitude of opportunities for years to come." The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has opened 124 facilities and has introduced the game of golf to over 170,000 young people since 2000. The program's focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. 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. |