CARLSBAD, Calif. (July, __ 2006) – In 2006, TaylorMade Golf Company is again providing its Tour Staff professionals participating in the Major Championships with special edition hats and staff bags. Both hats and bags feature a logo specially designed by TaylorMade that pays homage to the particular tournament and the particular venue at which it is being played.
Conceived in 2003 to Pay Respect to the Four Major Championships and to Raise Money for Charity
TaylorMade first created special edition hats and bags in conjunction with the 2003 Masters. Two special edition bags were created for each Tour Staff player participating at that particular major. After the event players keep the used bag and autograph the other; autographed bags are sold to a private collector and the proceeds are donated to The First Tee, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation that impacts 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. The program was continued that year at the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and PGA Championship. Since then TaylorMade has created special edition hats and bags in connection with every major championship except two, the 2004 U.S. Open and Open Championship, when the groundbreaking r7 quad driver was launched.
"Our special edition hats and bags continue to be tremendously fun and fulfilling for us and our Tour Staff pros," says TaylorMade creative director Craig Barez. "We love the game, we love the major championships, and we love creating something special to celebrate them. We also take great satisfaction that our special edition bags help raise funds for a great cause like The First Tee."
"We thank TaylorMade for their involvement with our organization. The success of the special edition bag program continues to help The First Tee deliver life skills and character education programs that have a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of young people," said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., The First Tee executive director,
Last year, TaylorMade was able to donate $26,000 to The First Tee using the proceeds from the sale of the bags bringing the total to $183,250 since the programs inception in2002.
Replica Hats Available at Retail
Replica hats like those worn by TaylorMade’s Tour Staff members competing at this year’s U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship, as well as a T-shirt bearing the special edition logo, will be available in a boxed set at retail at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39.99.
About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
TaylorMade Golf Company has led the golf industry’s technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. adidas Golf footwear and apparel is the choice of hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Consumers can learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (800) 888-CLUB or (800) 888-CLUB or www.tmag.com, www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.maxfli.com and www.rossaputters.com
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 opened over 250 golf-learning facilities in 47 states and five international locations, and has introduced the game of golf and its values to over 675,000 participants. The First Tee National School Program (www.thefirstteensp.org) has reached more than 400,000 students in over 900 elementary schools across the country.
Contact:
John Steinbach
TaylorMade-adidas Golf
john.steinbach@tmag.com
760-918-6330
Steve Gerrish
The First Tee
(904) 940-4314
sgerrish@thefirsttee.org
