PGA TOUR Superstore Announces Grant to The First Tee of Metropolitan New York

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Aug 20, 2013, 10:01 ET

PARAMUS, N.J., Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PGA TOUR Superstore has announced a $10,000 grant to The First Tee of Metropolitan New York to deliver educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

PGA TOUR Superstore is presenting the award today at Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, host of The Barclays, the first tournament in the PGA TOUR FedEx Cup Playoffs. PGA TOUR Superstore associates will present the grant check at a youth clinic attended by students of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York.

"The First Tee transforms the lives of thousands of young people through character education and the Nine Core Values," said PGA TOUR Superstore President and CEO Dick Sullivan. "Our customers and associates are excited to join with The First Tee of Metropolitan New York to expand opportunities for young people."

The First Tee of Metropolitan New York conducts programs in the schools and during after-school, weekend and summer periods for more than 50,000 young people annually, including 100 area elementary schools enrolled in The First Tee National School Program and NJPGA sponsored Golf-in-Schools programs. Since the Chapter was founded in 2001, it has impacted over 300,000 students through outreach programs, and an additional 30,000 youth in Life Skills programs at the Chapter's designated facility locations.

PGA TOUR Superstore has 16 retail locations. The superstores are owned and operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., whose controlling owner and chairman is Arthur M. Blank, retired Home Depot co-founder and owner of the Atlanta Falcons. Blank became a Trustee of The First Tee in January 2012, committing $1 million to the youth development organization.

In partnership with The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, 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 and Phoenix. PGA TOUR Superstore has announced that it will open two new California stores later this year, in Irvine and Palm Desert.

In addition to grants, PGA TOUR Superstore provides young people with access to state-of-the-art teaching, club fitting and training.

About The First Tee of Metropolitan New York:
The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (www.thefirstteemetny.org) is one of approximately 200 youth development chapters of The First Tee. The chapter was founded in 2001 at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx and now includes five additional facilities at Eisenhower Park G.C., Fairchild Wheeler G.C., Plainfield West 9, Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, and Weequahic Park G.C. The chapter was formed through a partnership that includes the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation, the Met Section PGA and the Rudin Family to teach young people that have traditionally been denied access to the game valuable Life Skills and Nine Core Values through the game of golf. The chapter serves over 5,000 participants each year through its unique curriculum developed by top educators. In early 2013, the Chapter launched a Campaign for the Next 10 to raise $5 million by the end of 2014. Funds from the campaign will support educational opportunity and teenage retention, expanded outreach and diversity programs as well as facility development and growth. For more information on the campaign, visit www.thefirstteemetny.org/campaign.

About PGA TOUR Superstore:
PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Group, LLC, headquartered in Roswell, Georgia.

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, a putting green and chipping area. There is also an in-house club making and repair facility. Many stores are equipped with a full-size tennis court and a tennis professional on staff for lessons and clinics.

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.

For more information, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com.

PGA TOUR Superstore. If it's on TOUR, it's in here.

SOURCE PGA TOUR Superstore