The First Tee, Jack Nicklaus Featured in New
Royal Bank of Scotland U.S. Commercials

St. Augustine, Fla. (May 21, 2010) – The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS), a Trustee of The First Tee, has develop 30- and 60-second commercials to bring further attention to The First Tee’s efforts. Featuring World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus alongside three participants of The First Tee, the commercials will begin airing this weekend during the HP Byron Nelson Championship and will run during 11 other PGA TOUR tournament broadcasts.  

The commercials can be viewed at www.thefirsttee.org and www.nicklaus.com.

“We are extremely grateful for RBS and Jack Nicklaus’ continued support of The First Tee,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., CEO of The First Tee. “The attention and enthusiasm from advocates like RBS and Jack further The First Tee’s ability to make a positive difference in the lives of young people by teaching life skills and core values through the game of golf.”

The commercials feature Jack Nicklaus, a Trustee of The First Tee, speaking about some of the core values that have helped him throughout his career—the same values the three participants of The First Tee are currently learning. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed filming this commercial, because it gave me yet another opportunity to meet young men and women who have been positively impacted by The First Tee,” Nicklaus said. “I have said for years that golf is the vehicle, not the destination—a wonderful vehicle for teaching valuable life lessons. These three participants of The First Tee embodied the core values that are at the foundation of the organization and are uniquely special to our game.”

RBS has featured the youth development organization as part of their United States advertising campaign for three years. RBS also has supported The First Tee’s development of new programs, including the RBS/The First Tee Mentor Program and the RBS Achievers of the Year Award. 

The commercials feature Sara Diaz from The First Tee of San Antonio, Donnie Ray Black from The First Tee of Pittsburgh and Katie Hickey from The First Tee of Ft. Smith (Ark.).

About The First Tee

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine, FL 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 3.5 million participants in 50 states, 3,400 elementary schools and four international locations - Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore.  Former President George H. W. Bush serves as honorary chairman.  The First Tee Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA.

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