Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Deana Rogers
April 2005
(614) 471-1404 drogers24@yahoo.com


Hammond’s Celebrity/Pro-Am Golf Tournament
Supports The First Tee of Columbus


Columbus, OH – PGA professionals from across Ohio will join the celebrities, business leaders and junior golfers to play in the eighth Gerry Hammond Celebrity/Pro-Am Golf Classic. This year’s event will take place at Scioto Reserve Golf Club on Tuesday July 5, 2005.

The Golf Classic is The First Tee of Columbus’ most significant fundraiser. Proceeds will go directly to The First Tee of Columbus programs, which are designed to provide children with the opportunity to gain character education through positive values inherent to the game of golf.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $25,000 and include benefits such as media coverage, event signage, participation in the event, a program ad, photo opportunities, gifts, prizes and more!

“An event such as this provides a great opportunity for the entire community to become involved with The First Tee,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., Executive Director of The First Tee and a Senior Vice President of the World Golf Foundation. “The celebrities, community leaders and local businessmen and women will serve as positive
role models for area youth who will learn valuable lessons through The First
Tee of Columbus.”

The First Tee of Columbus operates under Columbus State Community College at its Bridgeview Golf Course. Bridgeview, built in 1931, was family owned until February 2000 when it was given to Columbus State Community College through a charitable remainder trust, to be utilized as a public facility. Bridgeview features a 9-hole course, putting and chipping greens and a lighted driving range with covered stalls.

“Columbus State Community College sees the addition of The First Tee of Columbus as being consistent with our goals of access to education and reaching the community,” said Glenda Sanders, Columbus State Community College, Director of Auxiliary Services. “We are proud to support our First Tee Chapter.”

Renovation is nearing completion to The First Tee of Columbus Learning Center.
The 4,300-square-foot Learning Center features the Joseph M. Saggese/Borden Chemical, Inc. computer lab/library, parent’s lounge, and an indoor golf training facility complete with putting, chipping and full swing practice areas.
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“I’ve always envisioned having a facility where kids could have total access to the game of golf,” said Gerry Hammond, director of The First Tee of Columbus. “Columbus State’s Bridgeview Golf Course and The First Tee of Columbus provide this opportunity.”

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 currently has more than 200 golf learning facilities open and operating across North America that are dedicated to impacting the lives of young people.

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.