Dallas Can! and The First Tee of Dallas Form Golf Team at Oak Cliff Campus; Visit to Byron Nelson Tournament Part of This Self Esteem Building Venture.

DALLAS -- At-risk high school students at Dallas Can! Academy -- Oak Cliff Campus are getting the chance to play golf and attend the upcoming EDS Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas, May 11-14, 2006.

The First Tee of Dallas, a not-for-profit organization, is sponsoring the Oak Cliff team by supplying the students with golf equipment and access to golf courses. The organization will also give the students a behind-the-scenes tour and tickets to the EDS Byron Nelson Championship tournament, a PGA-sponsored event.

"Our mission is to make golf more accessible for young people across the country," said Chuck Walker, Director of Programs at The First Tee of Dallas. "We provide a low cost opportunity for kids to learn and play the game as well as learn life skills such as goal setting, integrity, honesty, and sportsmanship."

Students practice every Friday morning or afternoon, earn a Physical Education credit, and are led by teacher Fredrick Lawrence. In this inaugural year for the team, 10 students are participating. "None of these students have ever played golf before," said Lawrence. "They're not only learning about golf, but also very important life skills."

Walker is impressed with how the students have accepted the game. "Many of them started with an 'I can't' attitude. Golf was foreign to them and their families. Now I see an 'I can' attitude." Walker adds, "They've also learned not to judge a book by its cover. These students had friends tell them golf was not cool. Now as they enjoy it, they've learned that just because a friend says something, doesn't make it so."

On May 9, the Oak Cliff golf team will attend a junior golf clinic held by local golf professionals. The First Tee of Dallas will also provide a tour of the TPC Four Seasons Resort and the PGA facilities as they prepare for the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

"These students will learn about all the careers the golf industry offers," said Walker. "The hospitality industry, media, golf management, course management, computer engineering -- there are lots of opportunities."

Then, on the first day of competition, the team will walk the course and see the professionals in action.

About Texans Can! Schools:

Dallas Can! Academy -- Oak Cliff is part of Texans Can! network of charter schools that offers a second chance at education for thousands of at-risk kids throughout Texas. 78% of our graduates plan to continue on to post-secondary education. Our relationship-based education works and is changing lives of more than 6,000 kids annually. Visit our website for more information at www.texanscan.org.

About The First Tee:

The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. The intent is to offer opportunities for improvement in the quality of life and create a platform where children can increase their potential for success. For more information, visit www.thefirstteedallas.org.