December matching grant program yields $20,000 and year-long 5% participation challenge introduces 400,000 youth to The First Tee
ATLANTA (February 18, 2015) – In 2015, PGA TOUR Superstore will once again team up with the PGA TOUR, Inc. and The First Tee to inspire growth of programs for young people in store markets by continuing the “PGA TOUR Superstore 5% Challenge.”
In 2014, the “PGA TOUR Superstore 5% Challenge,” which challenged 18 chapters of The First Tee to grow the number of young people reached by 5% over the previous year, drew more than 416,000 young people to The First Tee chapters in their communities. Chapters earned $215,000 in new grants from PGA TOUR Superstore through the challenge.
During the month of December, online gifts made through thefirsttee.org by new donors were matched one-to-one, up to $20,000, by PGA TOUR Superstore. More than $45,000 was raised, making it the highest total amount ever raised online in December.
“We are thankful for PGA TOUR Superstore’s ongoing commitment to young people throughout this country and furthermore their support in store markets,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. “They continue to propel The First Tee forward through innovative philanthropic programs, and we look forward to the challenge presented this year.”
In 2015, PGA TOUR Superstore will once again team up with the PGA TOUR, Inc. and The First Tee to inspire growth of programs for young people in store markets by continuing the “PGA TOUR Superstore 5% Challenge.” In total, PGA TOUR Superstore, in partnership with The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, is pledging more than $400,000 in grants and incentives in 2015 to continue expanding opportunities to reach young people who would not otherwise be served through The First Tee chapters
“PGA TOUR Superstore associates are excited to help attract new participants to The First Tee chapters in their communities,” said Dick Sullivan, President and CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “The growth strategy for The First Tee chapters means more resources stay in the local community and more young people benefit from the character education programs.”
“PGA TOUR Superstore 5% Challenge” is focused on increasing the number of young people participating in the Life Skills Experience, the program delivered by trained coaches at chapters. Using golf as a platform, The First Tee helps young people learn life skills that build character and give them the confidence to make healthy choices. The First Tee programs are centered on Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.
In 18 of the 23PGA TOUR Superstore markets, The First Tee is currently serving young people through programs at golf facilities, in-school through The First Tee National School Program and after-school at other youth-centered locations through The First Tee DRIVE.
Arthur Blank, Chairman of PGA TOUR Superstore and Trustee of The First Tee, pledged $1 million to support the youth development organization’s goal of reaching 10 million additional young people from 2011 to 2017.
Since 2012, a percentage of the Trustee gift to The First Tee has been distributed by PGA TOUR Superstore and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to The First Tee chapters in many of the PGA TOUR Superstore markets.
PGA TOUR Superstore associates support The First Tee chapters reaching young people in East Palo Alto, Atlanta, Chicago, Paramus, Dallas, Delray Beach, Denver, Myrtle Beach, Naples, Phoenix, Westbury, Long Island, Irvine, California and Palm Desert, California. In addition to grants, the stores provide chapter participants with access to state-of-the-art teaching, club fitting, golf lessons and skills training. The stores also feature visual elements that build awareness with their customers for The First Tee’s mission.
For more information about The First Tee, visit www.thefirsttee.org. For more information about PGA TOUR Superstore, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com.
About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools, at other youth-serving locations and on military installations.
Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 10.5 million young people in all 50 United States and select international locations. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.
About PGA TOUR Superstore:
PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., headquartered in Roswell, GA, and is a majority-controlled subsidiary of AMB Group, LLC.
As the PGA TOUR’s exclusive off-course/off-airport retail partner, PGA TOUR Superstore provides customers with access to the same technology and expertise that card-carrying TOUR Pros use each week in the TOUR Vans that accompany them. All stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays and a putting green. There is also an in-house clubmaking and repair facility. Along with equipment and accessories, PGA TOUR Superstore has an unmatched selection of men’s, women’s and juniors’ apparel and footwear for golf and tennis.
PGA TOUR Superstore’s e-Commerce website and direct-to-consumer fulfillment also offers the widest assortment of golf and tennis equipment and apparel online. PGATOURSuperstore.com is the PGA TOUR’s exclusive online retail partner, accessible through the Shop link on the TOUR’s website and mobile applications. For more information and career opportunities, visit us at: www.pgatoursuperstore.com.
Contact:
Jane Fader
904-940-4330
jfader@thefirsttee.org
Alison Sawyer
404-367-2063
asawyer@ambfo.com
