2007 marks seventh year of Chicago’s First Tee outreach
CHICAGO, June 1, 2007 – The Chicago Park District and KemperSports will honor the 2007 season of The First Tee of Chicago’s summer programming with a kickoff event at Marquette Park Learning Center on Saturday, June 9. This summer marks the seventh year in which the Chicago chapter of The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and the life skills the game embodies to local youth, regardless of socio-economic background, and has provided ongoing golf instruction to interested juniors free of charge.
The event, featuring First Tee of Chicago youth participants, will begin at 10 a.m., June 9, at Marquette Park Learning Center, located at 6700 South Kedzie in Chicago:
10:00 a.m. Brief speaking program, including a check presentation to The First Tee of Chicago by the United States Golf Association (USGA)
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Junior golf clinic with PGA instruction on full swing, short game and chipping
Putting contest and SNAG (Starting New at Golf) games, using specially designed equipment that allows kids to learn the game at any age (prizes awarded)
12:00 p.m. Junior golf open play on Marquette Park Golf Course
The First Tee of Chicago, a 501 (c)(3) organization, was founded in 2000 through the efforts of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and KemperSports Chairman and CEO Steve Lesnik. The Chicago chapter and its accompanying programs are among the most successful in the nation, touching more than 18,000 children annually. In 2007, The First Tee of Chicago will offer more than 250 junior golf clinics and programs to area youth while affording them the opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. During KemperSports’ 14-year tenure as manager of the Chicago Park District golf facilities, three First Tee facilities – Douglas Park, Marquette Park and South Shore Learning Centers – were created.
About The First Tee
The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine, Fla., 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 over 1.5 million participants and students in 47 states and five countries – Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore. For more information, visit http://www.thefirsttee.org.
About KemperGolf Management
Since 1993, KemperGolf Management, a division of Northbrook, Ill.- based KemperSports, has managed all Chicago Park District golf facilities, which include five nine-hole courses, one 18-hole course (Jackson Park), three driving ranges, Diversey Miniature Golf Course and junior learning centers at Douglas Park, Marquette Park and South Shore Golf Courses. For more information, visit http://www.cpdgolf.com and http://www.kempersports.com.
Editor’s note:
If you plan to attend and/or cover the event, contact Kristin Schaner via email or phone. For media materials, high-res photos and The First Tee logo, interview coordination and special on-site needs (golf cart for photography/camera equipment), also contact Kristin Schaner.
Contact:
B.R. Koehnemann
773.358.0833, brkoehnemann@kempersports.com
Kristin Schaner
847.480.4850, kschaner@kempersports.com
