PING Golf Equipment Empowering Inner City Youth.

PING COLLECTION, a leading apparel brand designed and marketed by Perry Ellis International, Inc. is the official 2003 apparel sponsor for all TEENS ON THE GREEN tournaments.

Actor Renny Roker founded TEENS ON THE GREEN as a multi-ethnic program that motivates inner city youth to excel in their academics through an appreciation of golf. TEENS ON THE GREEN requires that each player maintain a 12 handicap or better, and a C + or better average in school. Three years ago, the first tournament recruited 36 teens. Today, more than 40,000 youngsters in over 90 cities and 52 countries participate in the program. The AAU endorses and sanctions the program as part of its golf initiative.

TEENS ON THE GREEN measures its success by adding up the number of players who earn collegiate golf scholarships. This year alone, the organization has helped players receive athletic scholarships from MIT, Alcorn State, UCLA, and USC. Mr. Roker says: “We ask our players to maintain high standards on the course and in the classroom. By doing so, these kids are learning the lessons of life early on, and will be successful in the future. They are a beautiful rainbow of diversity when they are on the course.”

George Pita, vice president of the PING COLLECTION said: “We are very proud to be an official sponsor of TEENS ON THE GREEN golf initiative and to support inner city youth on and off the course. This program helps kids stay focused in school and earn great scholarships. We are excited to help these golfers ‘Dress their Best’ with PING COLLECTION apparel.”