The First Tee Announces Corporate Partnership With Country Inns & Suites By Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The First Tee^®, a nonprofit youth development organization which educates youth on life and leadership skills and promotes healthy choices through golf, today announced a corporate partnership with Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM.

Minneapolis resident and Minnesota Wild defenseman Jordan Leopold will help announce the partnership at the final day of The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy, sponsored by Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. Leopold will share with more than 100 teens from around the country personal leadership experiences and how hard work propelled him to realize his current dreams of becoming a professional hockey player.

"Teaching life skills through sports is something I am passionate about and engage in every day with my kids and I'm pleased to join Country Inns & Suites as they announce their support for The First Tee, an organization committed to doing the same," said Jordan Leopold.

Country Inns & Suites plans to activate its 470 hotels in the U.S. and Canada to support The First Tee in its mission to provide educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through golf. Hotels will support The First Tee by hosting and sponsoring events, and providing volunteers to the organization's 175 chapters across the country.

"We're grateful for Jordan Leopold and partners like Country Inns & Suites for supporting The First Tee and this academy," said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. "We are also pleased to enter into this partnership that will bring needed support to our local chapters, helping them further their reach and impact on young people in communities."

The awards banquet at the Minneapolis Golf Club tonight will conclude the week-long and Twin Cities-based Life Skills & Leadership Academy event hosted by The First Tee. Participating youth from across the U.S. are hand-selected to join the academy, which focuses on developing life skills and offering career insights. Youth age 14 to 17 play championship golf, experience dorm living, and return to their chapters and communities with valuable insights on how be a leader and role model for others.

To learn more about The First Tee visit, www.thefirsttee.org. To learn more about the partnership between Country Inns & Suites and The First Tee visit, www.countryinns.com/thefirsttee.  

About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is 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 at other youth-serving locations.

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 Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM is a leading mid-market hotel brand with over 470 hotels in the United States, Canada, India and Latin America. The brand's Be Our Guest service philosophy encourages employees to serve guests with the same kind and caring spirit given to friends when they are being hosted at home. Signature and complimentary brand amenities include high-speed Internet access, hot breakfast served on classic dining ware, fitness centers and business centers.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which also includes Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu^®, Radisson^®, Radisson Red, Park Plaza^® and Park Inn^® by Radisson. For reservations and more information visit, www.countryinns.com.

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SOURCE The First Tee

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