Rock Concert Raises $54,000 for First Tee of Augusta;
Club Car Sponsors Successful Masters Week Event

Rock Fore Dough, a concert featuring rock-and-roll bands staged during Masters week - raised $54,000 for The First Tee of Augusta, according to Jill Brown, executive director of the facility that teaches positive life skills through the game of golf to the city's youth.

"We were thrilled with the turnout and the amount of money raised for a first-time event," Brown said, adding that Rock Fore Dough was the largest fund-raiser in the facility's four-year history. Nearly 6,000 people lined the natural amphitheatre at The First Tee on April 5th to hear Hootie and the Blowfish, Sister Hazel, Edwin McCain and Josh Kelley & the Pat Blanchard Band. Band members, who waived their normal fees, played golf with approximately 50 students involved in the First Tee program prior to the concert.

Club Car was the event's presenting sponsor.

Brown said the money raised would go to the First Tee's general operating budget to support onsite and school golf programs. The 40-acre First Tee facility serves 500 to 600 children annually and approximately 4,000 others through its programs in local schools.

"We really didn't know what to expect; so this was a great start," Brown said. "We didn't have a single negative comment from neighbors or businesses in the area. It was just a good, wholesome environment that had broad appeal."

Brown said the decision to make Rock Fore Dough an annual event would be up to the board of the First Tee. "We're getting the message loud and clear from the community that they want to continue. So we're very optimistic."

About The First Tee of Augusta

The mission of The First Tee of Augusta is to impact the lives of young people in the CSRA by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character-development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf, and to provide an affordable and accessible golf facility, primarily to serve those who have not previously had exposure to the game and its positive values.