July 12, 2007

James Price
For the Redford Golf Group
404-355-1645
jprice@priceandpartners.com

The Redford Golf Group and The First Tee of Greater Birmingham are pleased with the results of Inaugural Gold Classic Fundraiser.

The Redford Golf Group is charged with continuing success in 2007.

Birmingham, AL – When Russell Redford took over as executive director of the Birmingham First Tee chapter, he was faced with many challenges. With Redford's leadership in place, The First Tee of Greater Birmingham (www.thefirstteebirmingham.org) has witnessed continued success over the past year. This success was exemplified at the Inaugural Golf Classic Fundraiser for The First Tee of Greater Birmingham held at Shoal Creek Golf Club.

"This was a very big step for our chapter and a great opportunity to introduce The First Tee to corporate America locally," stated Russell P. Redford Jr., CEO, The Redford Golf Group (www.redfordgolfgroup.com). The event paired up teams from the corporate world with participants in the local First Tee chapter. In attendance at the golf tournament was Joe Lewis Barrow, the National Executive Director of The First Tee, and the son of the legendary heavyweight boxing world champion, Joe Lewis. "What a great day for The First Tee of Greater Birmingham to be hosting their Inaugural Golf Classic Fundraiser at Shoal Creek Golf Club. The concept of combining the Birmingham chapter's top junior participants with the corporate and business communities was unique. The event sponsors and amateur participants were able to experience firsthand the impact their financial investment, commitment and support of The First Tee Program are having on today's youth," said Lewis.

The Redford Golf Group has been working with The First Tee of Greater Birmingham since January 2006. "We recognized the values that The First Tee represents and we are passionate about incorporating those same values to the youth of Greater Birmingham," said Redford.

Since The Redford Golf Group and The First Tee of Greater Birmingham started collaborating, they have been focused on generating interest within the local corporate and business communities. "What a wonderful opportunity to showcase The First Tee youth development program at one of the golf industry's premier venues. We applaud the support of our corporate and business partnerships, Shoal Creek Golf Club and the efforts of our Chapter Executive Director/Tournament Director; Russell Redford for an outstanding day of golf for everyone," said Jarvis E Patton, Chairman/Board of Directors, The First Tee of Greater Birmingham.

In addition to the success of the event at Shoal Creek, Redford also noted that the Birmingham chapter was the recent recipient of a United States Golf Association (For The Good of The Game) grant totaling $16,500 to be used for golf instruction, golf course and golf range access. It also received a grant of $5,000 from Wadsworth Golf Course Construction Company Foundation.