FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact:  Steve Gerrish, The First Tee
September 19, 2008                                                               (904) 940-4314

THE FIRST TEE JOINS
AMERICA’S PROMISE ALLIANCE

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The First Tee, a preeminent positive youth development organization, today announced a new partnership with America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest partnership alliance committed to improving the well-being of young people.

Founded by General Colin Powell in 1997, the Alliance is made up of nonprofit groups, corporations, community leaders, charitable foundations, policymakers, faith-based organizations, individuals and others that believe children must have access to fundamental education, life and health resources to succeed at home, in school and in the community.

The Alliance identifies these resources as the Five Promises which serve as a guidepost to focus the efforts of the partnership network to help the nation’s at-risk youth experience healthier and more productive lives.  The Promises include: caring adults who are actively involved as parents, teachers, mentors, coaches and neighbors; safe places that offer constructive use of time; a healthy start and healthy development; effective education that builds marketable skills and opportunities to help others by making a difference through service.

“This is a very exciting and meaningful strategic partnership for The First Tee,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee.  “The coaches, staff, board members, volunteers and others at our community-based Chapters are passionate and dedicated to helping young people succeed by teaching core values like honesty, respect and judgment through the game of golf.  Simply stated, we must work collaboratively to create positive and lasting outcomes for young people.”

Through its network of over 500 learning facilities and program affiliates in 48 states, as well  physical education programs in over 2,000 elementary schools, The First Tee is now one of more than 200 Alliance Partners working toward a common goal of harnessing resources to reach our nation’s at-risk youth.

“America’s Promise Alliance is thrilled to welcome The First Tee to our partner network,” said Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO, America’s Promise Alliance. “Through the game of golf they are helping teach our young people about commitment and character. This innovative approach and the outstanding work of the more than 200 organizations and individuals that make up our Alliance will ensure that we will make a difference in the lives of this nation’s most disadvantaged young people and help them graduate high school ready for college, work and life.”

For more information about America’s Promise Alliance visit: www.americaspromise.org.

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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 2.2 million participants and students in 48 states and four international locations – Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore.   Former President George 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.

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As Founding Corporate Partner of The First Tee, Shell Oil Company has provided financial resources to support the development of this charitable youth initiative aimed at promoting character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.  Because of Shell’s initial contribution, The First Tee has garnered the support of hundreds of corporations and organizations that have provided financial or promotional support to The First Tee and its Chapters.