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The PING COLLECTION to Support TEENS ON THE GREEN Initiative for Inner City Youth Contact Lori Medici MIAMI (July 10, 2003) - PING(R) COLLECTION, a leading apparel brand designed and marketed by Perry Ellis International, Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), is proud to announce its role as the official 2003 apparel sponsor for all TEENS ON THE GREEN tournaments. Actor Renny Roker founded TEENS ON THE GREEN as a multi-ethnic program that motivates inner city youth to excel in their academics through an appreciation of golf. TEENS ON THE GREEN requires that each player maintain a 12 handicap or better, and a C + or better average in school. Three years ago, the first tournament recruited 36 teens. Today, more than 40,000 youngsters in over 90 cities and 52 countries participate in the program. The AAU endorses and sanctions the program as part of its golf initiative. TEENS ON THE GREEN measures its success by adding up the number of players who earn collegiate golf scholarships. This year alone, the organization has helped players receive athletic scholarships from MIT, Alcorn State, UCLA, and USC. Mr. Roker says: "We ask our players to maintain high standards on the course and in the classroom. By doing so, these kids are learning the lessons of life early on, and will be successful in the future. They are a beautiful rainbow of diversity when they are on the course." George Pita, vice president of the PING COLLECTION said: "We are very proud to be an official sponsor of TEENS ON THE GREEN golf initiative and to support inner city youth on and off the course. This program helps kids stay focused in school and earn great scholarships. We are excited to help these golfers 'Dress their Best' with PING COLLECTION apparel." The PING COLLECTION prides itself on following the Karsten Manufacturing Corporation's philosophy of strong support and sponsorship for youth and collegiate golf. PING COLLECTION is donating apparel to all players and announcers associated with the program. TEENS ON THE GREEN tournaments will be televised in Miami on NBC 6 and segments will be aired on the Golf Channel and BET Cable Network. The apparel selected by TEENS ON THE GREEN will incorporate the latest in fiber technology including Dry Fiber Dynamics(TM) for moisture management, UV protection by Ciba to block the sun's harmful rays, Lycra(R) for the ultimate in stretch performance and comfort, and Function 3 Dynamics(TM) for peak performance functions in outerwear. To see the full line please visit us at http://www.pingcollection.com. All PING COLLECTION pieces are designed with the golfer in mind. About Perry Ellis International Perry Ellis International is a leading designer, marketer and licensor of a broad line of high quality men's sportswear, including causal and dress casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear and swimwear to all levels of retail distribution. Perry Ellis, a division of PEI, markets products in over 40 different categories under the Perry Ellis(R), Perry Ellis Portfolio(R) and Perry Ellis America(R) trademarks. Perry Ellis products are available in the United States and in more than 26 countries with worldwide retail sales of over $1.5 billion. Supreme, a division of PEI, markets and distributes products, both domestically and internationally bearing the trademarks owned by the company including Munsingwear(R), John Henry(R), Manhattan(R), and Cubavera(R), and trademarks for which the company has a license, including PING(R) Collection, NAUTICA(R), and Ocean Pacific(R). PEI's swimwear division markets and distributes products under the Jantzen(R) and Southpoint(R) trademarks, and the trademarks for which the company has a license, including Nike(R) and Tommy Hilfiger(R). PEI's premium brands division markets and distributes products bearing the Axis(R), Tricots St. Raphael(R), and Mondo di Marco(R) trademarks. Additional information on PEI is available at http://www.perryelliscorporate.com. |