CHICAGO (July 28, 2005) - Charter One Bank today announced that it has joined forces with professional golfer Luke Donald to host a special clinic for local youth at The First Tee of Chicago. Donald, a rising star on the PGA TOUR who is currently ranked 12th in the world, will instruct approximately 50 local youth at a golf clinic on Thursday, July 28th at 10:30 a.m. at the Jackson Park Driving Range.
The First Tee is a national organization that gives young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values through golf and character education. The Chicago Chapter opened in the summer of 2000. The First Tee of Chicago utilizes several facilities for their programs, including Marquette Driving Range, one of only two grass driving ranges in Chicago. This clinic is a way for Charter One Bank to help The First Tee give young people more opportunities that can help them realize their full potential.
“Charter One Bank is excited to be involved with The First Tee program,” said Paul Greig, president & CEO of Charter One Bank, Illinois. “We are committed to community involvement at the grassroots level. This clinic is a special opportunity for children from Chicago's diverse neighborhoods to have access to a role model like Luke Donald and to learn about the game of golf.”
The clinic is a part of an overall program in which Charter One Bank is participating with RBS, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. In June 2004, RBS became a National Trustee of The First Tee. Through the partnership, RBS is creating new programs that will provide opportunities for hundreds of young people in the U.S.
“I'm really excited to be involved with The First Tee program, especially here in Chicago, through Charter One,” said Luke Donald. “This is what it's all about and I love being a part of this, introducing more kids to the game and making them enthusiastic about sports in general.” “We're honored to have Charter One Bank and Luke Donald sponsor our clinic,” said Jim Russell, outreach coordinator for The First Tee of Chicago. “With their help, our organization will be able to teach more young children the fun, excitement and values associated with the great game of golf. We believe it will help them achieve success throughout their lives.”
About Charter One Bank
Charter One Bank, N.A., is a $36 billion bank operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. It has more than 490 branches and 830 ATMs. Charter One is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $137 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 26,000 employees in a 13-state retail branch network and non-branch offices in more than 30 states. Citizens is the eighth largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
About The First Tee
The First Tee is an initiative of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit World Golf Foundation. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has opened 207 golf-learning facilities and has introduced the game of golf to over 450,000 participants. The mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.