Fairway Outreach participants surrounding Gary Player are William Godfrey, Olivia Grabowski, Renae Gray, Excellence Carlos, Reid Metts, Devon Kilgore, Ajeet Badeesha, Joel Romero and Thomas Burke, Joshua McCord, Katherine Miranda, Joshua Miller, Krista Jameson, Marcus Hollway, Evan Davis, Jeremy Moore, Brandon Wise, Andy Campbell and Austin Mixon. About 75 kids with First Tee chapters in South Carolina, including children from Fairway Outreach and First Tee of Columbia, received a very special surprise when Hall of Fame golfer Gary Player stopped by to give them some timely tips before they teed off at the special junior round of the 25th Annual BI- LO Charity Classic June 9, 2008 at Verdae Greens, one of the Upstate's top courses.

Player is participating in the BI- LO Charity Classic, which has raised more than $40 million for charities in the past 24 years. Both the Gary Player Foundation and BI- LO Charities award grants to community programs focused on children, making the partnership this year a natural fit.

"My involvement with The Cliffs over the last three years has really made me fond of the Carolinas, so I'm delighted to do my part for the local community, especially where children are concerned," Player commented. "Speaking from experience, it's not easy keeping a charity going for 25 years, so I respect BI- LO for the persistent efforts which have truly made a difference."

First Tee, a cause that Player has actively supported over the years, is dedicated to promoting character development and providing life- enhancing values to young people through the game of golf.

"You could not ask for a better role model for these kids than Gary Player," said Happ Lathrop, executive director of the South Carolina Golf Association and the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. "Mr. Player is a Grand Slam golfer recognized as the most successful international competitor in the history of our sport, so his accomplishments on the course are quite extraordinary. His philanthropic efforts are equally impressive. He and his foundation have worked tirelessly for the past 25 years to better the lives of children around the world."

Six First Tee chapters from Greenville, Charleston, Greater Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Sumter and Columbia participated in today's BI- LO Charity Classic junior event at Verdae Greens. Also participating were Fairway Outreach, a youth development program in Columbia, and a team from the Greenville Boys and Girls Club. The $50,000 donated by the BI- LO Charity Classic will be divided among the eight organizations. More than 1,000 South Carolina youth are impacted by the First Tee programs, and several hundred more are provided opportunities by Fairway Outreach and the Greenville Boys and Girls Club.

In addition to meeting with the First Tee kids today, the legendary "Black Knight" will participate in BI- LO Charity Classic events at the Hartness Estate on Saturday and Sunday evenings.