Devon Kilgore Pepsi Little People's and The First Tee of Great River announce that Chase Johnson of Barberton, Ohio, and Devon Kilgore of Columbia, S.C., are the recipients of the Pepsi Little People's/The First Tee of Great River scholarships for 2008.

Application for the Scholarships was open to participants in more than 200 national First Tee programs throughout the country.

"This was a most difficult decision," said Nan Ryan, executive director of Pepsi Little People's. "Each of the candidates was outstanding. Each has shown excellent qualities in keeping with The First Tee's nine core values and life skills, as well as in the game of golf. We are very pleased that Chase and Devon will be playing in the 2008 Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships this June and will be representing their First Tee Chapters".

Kilgore, 14, has been a student of The First Tee of Columbia for four years, and plays on his high school junior varsity golf team.

"He is a student of the game of golf who wants to know the how and the why when it comes to the swing, grip, stance, etc.," says Robert Parker, director of golf at The First Tee of Columbia.

"Devon has been on the A/B Honor roll for all of the years I have known him," adds Parker. "He reads on a daily basis and plans his time for work and play. His concern for getting things right is genuine."

Kilgore wants to participate in Pepsi Little People's so he can travel and see new places, meet new people, learn life lessons, and hone his golf skills along with other junior golfers from all over the United States.

"I want to see what life is like for individuals from different backgrounds and I want to have experiences in this event that will benefit me for the rest of my childhood and throughout my life as an adult," he adds.

Johnson and Kilgore each receive the opportunity to compete in the 2008 Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships in Quincy, IL, and its associated activities June 15- 20. Each will stay with a First Tee of Great River host family during the tournament.

Little People's is an international golf tournament for boys and girls ages 3 through 21, and draws some 800 participants each year.

For more information on the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships and the Scholarship Program, contact Nan Ryan at jrgolfer@littlepeoplesgolf. com.