FINCHEM TO JOIN AKRON MAYOR PLUSQUELLIC AT GROUND BREAKING FOR THE FIRST TEE OF AKRON

Akron, OH – PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem today will join Mayor Plusquellic and others to help break ground for The First Tee of Akron at Mud Run Park in Southwest Akron.

The City of Akron has been a strong supporter of involving young people in the game of golf since it began its "Hook a Kid on Golf" program in 1997. The City, which owns the nearly 118 acres, expects to invest $2.1 million in constructing the Mud Run Trace Golf Facility. The Akron First Tee Chapter will make a $200,000 contribution to the facility.

In addition to a 9-hole golf course, there will be a clubhouse with classroom space and an outdoor instructional range. The golf training facility will be owned by the City of Akron. Although the course will be opened to the public, the Akron First Tee will have priority use of the golf training facility during the summer months.

Finchem, who also serves as chairman of the World Golf Foundation and the Foundation’s First Tee Oversight Committee, announced the formation of The First Tee of Akron almost two years ago. Since then, golf clinics and First Tee programming have been conducted at the Edwin Shaw Challenge Course.

"We are pleased to be breaking ground for this facility, which will provide a permanent home for The First Tee of Akron," Finchem said. "On behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours and World Golf Championships, the NEC Invitational is proud to have been able to provide financial support to The First Tee of Akron and to help make this facility possible. We are committed to expanding playing opportunities for everyone, especially kids who otherwise would not have exposure to the game and its positive values."

The NEC Invitational has contributed significantly to the project through Akron Golf Charities, Inc., which has distributed millions of dollars to area charities throughout the years as the beneficiary of Akron’s PGA TOUR event.

The new facility at Mud Run Park will include nine holes, a practice area and a clubhouse for teaching Life Skills. The 85-acre site is the largest piece of undeveloped parkland in the city of Akron.

The course will be very accessible to kids as it is near expressways, mass transit and inner city neighborhoods.

"On behalf of The City of Akron, we are glad to be partnered with The First Tee in helping to develop a facility that will provide the children of Akron with the opportunity to play a sport that teaches them strong character values," said Plusquellic. "This is a true investment in our community and in the futures of the many children who will use the facility."

The First Tee of Akron, established through the combined efforts of the Akron Jaycees and Akron Golf Charities, grew from a youth golf program that was created in 1996 and managed by the Jaycees since 1997.

"The First Tee of Akron is extremely grateful to the city of Akron and Mayor Plusquellic for partnering on the construction of the golf course and providing a facility where we can offer instruction and Life Skills training for many of the young boys and girls in the City of Akron," said Tom Knoll, President of The First Tee of Akron. "We look forward to the opening of the facility and to a long association between The First Tee and the City of Akron at the site."

The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing affordable golf access for everyone, especially kids, who otherwise might not have an opportunity to play.

The First Tee’s objectives, over the next five years, include introducing the game to 500,000 young people, having 250 dedicated facilities, and establishing 500 affiliate relationships with existing golf courses.

The World Golf Foundation, which is supported by all of the major international golf 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.

###