FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Martin Armes, 919-608-7260 Ray McDonald, 919-922-4171
Raleigh's J.T. Thomas Earns Spot in Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach McConnell Golf Scholarship Recipient to Team with Champions Tour Player Later in August
Raleigh, N.C. (August 14, 2008) – Justin Tyler (J.T.) Thomas, an inaugural McConnell Golf Scholarship recipient and a member of The First Tee of the Triangle, has earned one of 78 prestigious junior spots to play in the fifth annual Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, a nationally televised Champions Tour tournament taking place from August 25-31.
The 16 year old Thomas, a rising senior at Broughton High School, was one of 90 boys from The First Tee learning facilities worldwide to take part in The First Tee selection process at Kansas State University's Colbert Hills Golf Course last month. Prior to that competition, he attended The First Tee's annual Leadership Academy in Manhattan, Kansas, and was named most outstanding male golfer by the adults that ran the Academy.
Each Labor Day weekend for the past five years, this tournament showcases the talent and character of young people who participate at The First Tee facilities worldwide. An official Champions Tour event, the tournament pairs one junior with a Champions Tour player and two amateurs.
“All of us at McConnell Golf are very proud of JT,” said Ray McDonald, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “he is the kind of young golfer that we look for when awarding a McConnell Golf Scholarship. JT is very hard worker and a nice young man, we are glad to see good things happening to him.”
The First Tee selection process recognizes participants who have integrated life skills learned through The First Tee into other aspects of their life. Participants were evaluated both on and off the golf course, through a series of interviews, essays and a 36-hole golf-proficiency event.
The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach presented by Nature Valley will take place on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course, and will be televised on the GOLF CHANNEL. Visit www.thefirsttee.org or www.thefirstteeopen.com for more information.
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 more than 2.2 million participants and students in 48 states and four international locations – Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore. Former President George Bush serves as honorary chairman. www.thefirsttee.org
About The First Tee of the Triangle The First Tee of the Triangle (originally The First Tee of Wake County) became a chapter of The First Tee in June of 2004 and has since introduced over 1,500 area youth to its life and golf skills curriculum. Its mission is similar to that of the parent organization but with a focus primarily on youth not previously exposed to the game and its associated life skills and positive values. www.thefirstteetriangle.org .
About McConnell Golf McConnell Golf offers pure golf for the true golfer as a privately held company offering unlimited access to world-class facilities and golf courses designed by legends Donald Ross, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio and Arnold Palmer. Founded in 2003, McConnell Golf provides members a quality golf experience at any of its four award-winning courses: Raleigh Country Club in Raleigh, N.C.; Cardinal Golf & Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.; Treyburn Country Club in Durham, N.C.; and Musgrove Mill Golf Club in Clinton, S.C. All clubs are maintained and serviced to the highest standards with an emphasis on true golf, complete service and absolute quality. McConnell Golf offers individual club memberships, as well as innovative corporate and national/international memberships that deliver unmatched access to the top courses in the Carolinas. www.mcconnellgolf.com