FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Golf Channel Becomes Proud Media Partner of The First Tee

Tucson, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2012) – The First Tee announces today that Golf Channel will become the youth development organization’s Proud Media Partner in 2012.

Golf Channel will provide exposure to The First Tee in an effort to build awareness and educate and encourage involvement by its TV and online audience. Golf Channel will support The First Tee through on-air and online programming, plus promotion to support multiple initiatives, including The First Tee Campaign for 10 Million Young People.  The Campaign launched in July 2011 with the goal of raising $100 million to enable the organization to reach 10 million new young people by 2017.

“Golf Channel’s benevolence and desire to see young people positively impacted through golf will create an incredible opportunity for The First Tee—through increased exposure—to further our reach,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive of The First Tee.  “The relationship is very important to our current strategic plan and our goal to reach 10 million more young people.”

“As a growing company and an engine that can help drive the growth of the game, Golf Channel has a very real responsibility to give back to the game and the community we serve,” said Mike McCarley, president of Golf Channel. “Our ability to tell the stories of these remarkable young people involved in The First Tee is a commitment in which we take great pride.”

Golf Channel’s involvement in The First Tee will include coverage the first Wednesday of every month beginning next Wednesday, March 7 throughout 2012. Additionally, Golf Channel will have expanded coverage of the organization’s annual participant events and will showcase stories of how The First Tee is impacting the lives of young people through the game of golf.  Golf Channel will also draw attention to unique aspects of their programs, including the Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits.

“The Golf Channel’s support of The First Tee is unprecedented and will be instrumental in sharing the positive impact The First Tee has on millions of young people,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “That support can only help The First Tee grow and reach an additional 10 million young people.”

To learn more about The First Tee, visit www.thefirsttee.org.

About Golf Channel

Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla.  The Golf Channel cable network, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies.  Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, added to a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s best news, instruction and original programming.  Golf Channel’s digital platform of businesses is led by www.GolfChannel.com, a leading golf destination on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that help the recreational player with how to play, what to play and where to play golf.

About The First Tee

The First Tee, 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 and on military installations.

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than five million young people in all 50 United States and six international locations. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation and its Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chairman.

As Founding Corporate Partner of The First Tee, Shell Oil Company has provided resources and leadership to support the development of this youth service organization. Shell’s involvement and support of The First Tee’s mission has led the way for other individuals, corporations and organizations to provide ongoing financial support to The First Tee and its chapters.

Media Contacts:

Jane Fader                                                          Dan Higgins

The First Tee                                                     Golf Channel

904-940-4330 (work)                                  407-496-8107 (mobile)

Jfader@thefirsttee.org                                 dhiggins@golfchannel.com