HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP RAISES $4.4 MILLION FOR CHARITY

Irving, TX – The Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas, host organization of the HP Byron Nelson Championship, announced today that the 2009 Championship raised $4.4 million in net proceeds for local children and families.

“The incredible commitment of our title sponsor, HP, and the many companies and individuals who continue to support this great event are an inspiration to me,” said 2009 Tournament Chairman Charley Spradley. “I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in the face of the worst economy in two generations, and I’m deeply grateful to all of our sponsors and volunteers for their tremendous support and to the members of the Salesmanship Club for overcoming the challenges and doing it all for the kids.”

Since its inception, the Championship has raised more than $112 million for Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers (SCYFC), more than any other PGA TOUR event.

Funds generated from the sale of sponsorships, tickets, merchandise, concessions, parking and other amenities benefit SCYFC, a nonprofit organization that provides innovative education and mental health treatment services for troubled and at-risk children and their families in the Dallas area. Funds raised by the Salesmanship Club throughout the year combined with the proceeds from the HP Byron Nelson Championship provide the majority of SCYFC’s operating budget. More than 7,000 children and family members in the greater Dallas area were served in the last year as a result of funds raised at the Championship.

“The Salesmanship Club hosts this event solely to raise money for our charity,” said Mike Haggerty, Chairman of the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers Board. “Our laboratory school achieved Exemplary status with a student passing rate of 90% or above for all TAKS areas. Further, two-thirds of our former students have enrolled in college or vocational schools. This is just an example of the incredible work that our sponsors and volunteers are making possible.”

The 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 17-23 at the Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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Final-Round Notes – Sunday, May 24, 2009

Despite a bogey at the final hole, Rory Sabbatini earned a two-stroke victory over Brian Davis at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Sabbatini shot 68-64-65-64—261 (tournament record) for his first victory since the 2007 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, a stretch of 44 starts.

In 10 previous starts, Rory Sabbatini’s career-best finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship was a T3 in 2007, the only time he had finished in the top 10.

Rory Sabbatini becomes the 14th player to win both the HP Byron Nelson Championship and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial during their career. Others who have completed the “DFW Double” are Ben Crenshaw, Roberto De Vicenzo, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Bruce Devlin, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Tom Watson, Bruce Lietzke, Nick Price, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Julius Boros.

Dating back to 2000, Rory Sabbatini is the sixth International winner of the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

Dating back to 1995, Rory Sabbatini is the 11th champion to post all four rounds in the 60s.

Rory Sabbatini becomes the 12th player in his 30s to win on the PGA TOUR this year, the 15th overall by those 12 players.

16 of 21 third-round leaders/co-leaders (76%) have gone on to win on the PGA TOUR this year. Last year the figure was 22 of 46 (48%).

Rory Sabbatini’s 6-under 64 was the lowest final-round score by a winner at the HP Byron Nelson Championship since Peter Thompson’s 63 in 1956.

Rory Sabbatini’s statistics for the week: T28 in Fairways Hit (34/56-60.7 %), T1 in Putts per Round (25.8) and T38 in Greens in Regulation (49/72-68.1 %).

Brian Davis equaled his career-best PGA TOUR result and has now posted runner-up finishes in each of the last three years.

• 2007 St. Jude Championship
• 2008 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open
• 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship

Brian Davis now has three consecutive top-5 finishes after a pair of T5 finishes at THE PLAYERS Championship and the Valero Texas Open.

Brian Davis has now posted eight consecutive rounds in the 60s.

Brian Davis has the longest active streak of 20 consecutive rounds of par or better on the PGA TOUR. During that stretch he has finished T19 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T38 at the Quail Hollow Championship, T5 at both THE PLAYERS Championship and Valero Texas Open, and 2nd at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

Zach Johnson, who didn’t play this week, remains at the top of the FedExCup standings. Rory Sabbatini moved from No. 29 to No. 7 with his win. Brian Davis jumped from No. 51 to No. 21 with his second-place finish.

D.A. Points earned his career-best PGA TOUR finish with his third-place effort. Points’ previous best were back-to-back T9 finishes earlier this year at The Honda Classic and the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular.

Scott McCarron birdied three of the four par-3 holes in a nine-birdie, one-bogey, final-round 8-under 62, the low round of the tournament. McCarron’s career low round is 61 (1999 Air Canada Championship/Round 4).

Scott McCarron’s 8-under 62 tied the low final-round in tournament history with Steve Lowery (1995) and Ted Tryba (2001).

Scott McCarron ranked No. 1 in both fairways hit (76.8%) and greens in regulation (81.9%) for the week but was T46 in putts per round (29.2).

Dustin Johnson appears set to stay in the top 50 on the OWGR after beginning the week ranked No. 48. This means Brian Gay (12), Charley Hoffman (14) and Charles Howell III (15) will be exempt into the 2009 British Open as the leading three (inside the top-20) off the FedExCup standings.

John Mallinger earned his best finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship with a sixth place showing in his third start here. After missing the cut in 2007, Mallinger finished T31 in 2008.

After making seven bogeys in his first 23 holes this week, John Senden, who finished seventh, posted just one bogey (No. 10/Round 4) over his last 49 holes.

1987 HP Byron Nelson Championship winner and 2009 President’s Cup U.S. team captain Fred Couples (69-66-67-67—269) earned his third top-10 finish (T8) this season. Couples will turn 50 and become eligible for the Champions Tour in early October, but continues to show he still belongs on the PGA TOUR. Now No. 61 (up from 76) on the FedExCup points list, Couples posted season-best T3 efforts at the Northern Trust Open and the Shell Houston Open.

Jeff Maggert, a Houston, TX resident, earned his second top-10 of the season (FBR Open) despite a double-bogey at the final hole. Maggert shot 71-66-65-67—269 to finish T8.

Despite a double-bogey at the final hole, where he three-putted from five feet, New Zealand’s Danny Lee (69-67-69-66—271) posted his career-best finish (T13) on the PGA TOUR. Lee’s previous best finish was T20 at the 2008 Wyndham Championship, as an amateur, where he also shot four rounds in the 60s.

This was Lee’s third start as a professional. He finished T38 at the Quail Hollow Championship after missing the cut in his first start as a professional at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

This was Danny Lee’s first event with Don Donatello as his caddie after Anthony Knight, Lee’s former caddie returned to New Zealand. Donatello previously caddied for Eric Axley and Kevin Na.

Twelve players recorded all four rounds in the 60s this week. Consider this - Alex Cejka, who led after three rounds at THE PLAYERS Championship, shot 69-69-67-68—273 and finished T23.

It looks like donations from the public topped out at $4,000 in the “Beem Fore Behm” charity initiative. Rich Beem donated $100 per birdie he made this week and also encouraged fellow players, and the public, to donate to the fund established to benefit Rich Behm, who was paralyzed from the waist down when the Cowboys practice facility was destroyed in a storm earlier this month. The figure will almost certainly be higher when players’ contributions are calculated next week. There will be a “Beem Fore Behm” donation tent near the main entrance at next week’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

Charley Hoffman (T23) didn’t manage to earn his fourth top-10 finish of the year but did extend his consecutive cuts-made streak to 22. He is now 13 for 13 this season. His last missed cut was in July at the 2008 John Deere Classic. It’s the second-longest current streak on TOUR, behind Tiger Woods (35).

Mark Calcavecchia shot 6-under 64, an improvement of 11 shots from his third-round 75, to equal his low round this season (64/Round 3/Northern Trust Open) and finish T52.
Dallas, TX native and resident Matt Weibring finished T52 after rounds of 67-69-71-70—277. His only previous start at the tournament was a missed cut in 2005 (73-71). Weibring’s Dad, D.A., spearheaded the $10 million redesign of the TPC Four Seasons prior to the 2008 tournament. The elder Weibring played in the tournament 22 times, with runner-up finishes in 1993 and 1995.
Matt Weibring was one of 10 2008 Nationwide Tour graduates to earn a check this week. Here’s a look at how they finished.

• 3. Jeff Klauk T45 -4
• 6. Colt Knost T52 -3
• 10. Greg Owen T35 -6
• 13. Kris Blanks T39 -5
• 14. David Mathis T39 -5
• 16. D.A. Points 3 -16
• 19. Marc Leishman T8 -11
• 23. Bryce Molder T23 -7
• 24. Matt Weibring T52 -3
• 25. Ricky Barnes T60 -2

Bogey-free rounds: Brian Davis (64), Marc Leishman (68), Greg Chalmers (66), Steve Flesch (66) and Jay Williamson (67).
Greg Chalmers drove the green at the 323-yard, par-4 11th hole and knocked in the remaining 21-foot putt for an eagle 2. It was the only eagle at the 11th hole all week.
Jimmy Walker shot 6-under 29 on the front nine after birdies at Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. He added another birdie at the 10th hole before bogeys at 11 and 12. Walker finished with 65 and T23.
Here’s how the remaining past champions of the HP Byron Nelson Championship fared this week:

• 2005 winner Ted Purdy 74-65-66-68—273 T23
• 2003 winner Vijay Singh 70-67-69-66—272 T16
• 2000 winner Jesper Parnevik 67-68-69-75—279 T65
• 1987 winner Fred Couples 69-66-67-67—269 T8

Scoring Averages at the par-70 TPC Four Seasons Resort:

Front 9 Back 9 Total Cumulative
Thursday 35.381 35.858 70.858 ---
Friday 34.773 34.857 69.630 70.246
Saturday 34.068 34.081 68.149 69.841
Sunday 34.770 34.108 68.878 69.685

Mark Williams -HPBNC-

Golf Highlight: Meet the Leaders

With four people tied for first place at the start of Saturday, the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship is still up for grabs. Dustin Johnson, Briny Baird, Rory Sabbatini and John Mallinger started the day tied for the lead, with the likes of Mike Weir and 26-year old Australian rookie James Nitties following close behind.

Rory Sabbatini, a Southlake, Texas resident and local favorite, was a strong contender in the first two rounds. Sabbatini began playing golf when he was four years old, and is currently No. 29 in the race for the FedExCup.

Dustin Johnson will be looking to snag his third PGA TOUR victory, with the most recent being the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He is No. 12 in the race for the FedExCup.

James Nitties, who is vying for his first PGA TOUR win, had his best 2009 finish at the FBR Open where he was T4.

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HP Byron Nelson Update

Golf Highlight

The PGA TOUR season can be long and grueling on a player's family, but for Rory Sabbatini, the HP Bryon Nelson Championship offers a respite. The Southlake, Texas resident is enjoying the creature comforts of home this week, and the results show after Friday's second round.

Sabbatini became the first player in this year's Nelson field to fire a 64. He shares the tournament lead with John Mallinger at 8-under entering Saturday's third round. Mallinger made two eagles Friday en route to a 65.

Both players will have little time to rest. With thunderstorms being forecast for tomorrow in the Dallas area, Saturday's tee times have been moved up. Players will go off in threesomes off split tees from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Sabbatini and Mallinger will go off around 9:30 a.m.

2009 KidsZone

Thanks to HP, the world’s largest technology company, KidsZone got a full makeover in 2009. Highlighted by interactive elements related to the Pixar films Monsters Inc., Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs. Aliens, parents can rest assured that opting for a staycation is a great idea this Memorial Day weekend. The HPBNC is a family friendly place to come and have fun, and kids 13 and under will be admitted for free with a ticketed adult.

In between two flat screens featuring video games, a movie will be playing at all times during regular KidsZone hours. HP has also provided free Kung Fu Panda t-shirts to give out to the young patrons.

Two HP cameras are set up to take photos of kids with cardboard cutouts of characters from Pixar movies, and can be printed instantly on an HP photo printer.

KidsZone also features several HP computers with interactive and educational computer games. For the kids with extra energy to burn, bounce houses and a miniature golf course will be available during regular hours.

HOURS OF FUN:
Saturday, May 23 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

America Supports Our Troops at HPBNC

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship officials are making an effort to remind everyone of the real importance of Memorial Day – to honor the young men and women who protect our country and those who have fallen.

With at least 200 tickets being distributed each day of the Championship, troops from the Coast Guard, Marines, Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, Military Entrance Processing Station and the four pilots who did the flyover in 2007 were invited to come out to the Championship and spend the weekend watching golf from private seats on the 18th green. They were also provided with a full hospitality suite in the TPC’s Golf School, with complimentary food and drinks. This is the third year that the HP Byron Nelson has provided hospitality in honor of our troops.

HPBNC Green Initiative: E-Waste Recycle Program with Best Buy and Staples

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship has partnered with DFW-area Best Buy and Staples stores to recycle electronic equipment. Now through Sunday, patrons that trade in qualifying items such as monitors, fax machines, printers and televisions will receive a voucher for two any day tickets to the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

The initiative builds on the traditionally green message of the HP Byron Nelson Championship. This is an effort to generate public awareness for the proper disposal of used electronic equipment with the goal of diverting waste from landfills.

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2009 BYRON NELSON PRIZE AWARDED TO ARNOLD PALMER

IRVING, TX – The Salesmanship Club awarded golf legend Arnold Palmer with the third annual Byron Nelson Prize at the HP Byron Nelson Championship Opening Ceremony on Tuesday.

The Byron Nelson Prize, sponsored by the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, is awarded to a person or organization in the golf world who exemplifies the ideals of “giving back” that Byron Nelson personified.

Mr. Palmer attended the Opening Ceremony to receive the Prize and spoke about the special honor that this award represented for him.

“Those things that Byron did over his life were pretty fantastic, and when he won 11 tournaments in a row, I was sitting on the edge of my seat watching and just waiting for it to happen again,” Palmer said. “Byron Nelson was a man that continued to contribute to not just the game of golf, but to life and to other people. He was a person that I had the highest respect for.”

The Salesmanship Club of Dallas awarded $100,000 to the charity of Palmer’s choice. Palmer directed this charitable contribution to the Arnold D. and Winifred W. Palmer Charitable Foundation.

“It is our great honor to award Mr. Palmer with the Byron Nelson Prize,” Salesmanship Club of Dallas President Frank Swingle said. “Mr. Palmer exemplifies the values of our namesake. He perpetuates Mr. Nelson’s legacy of integrity, competitive fire, and ‘giving back’ to the game he loved and to his community.”

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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HP Byron Nelson Championship Update

The HP Byron Nelson Championship will be next week, May 18-24. The final field list of players has been published.

SALESMANSHIP CLUB OF DALLAS ANNOUNCES THE 2009 RECIPIENTS OF THE BYRON NELSON INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF AWARDS

Irving, TX – Four outstanding young golfers from Argentina and the United States will be honored next week at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas announced today that Evan Beck of Virginia, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Brinson Paolini of Virginia and Cameron Peck of Washington will be recognized.

The recipients were selected not only because of their accomplishments in junior tournament play, but also in recognition of their achievement in academics, participation in community service and demonstrated excellence in character, integrity and sportsmanship.

“We are proud to honor these four young men, because each one of them strives to embody the work ethic and strong moral standard that Byron Nelson lived by,” said Brooks Cullum, chairman of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas. “By recognizing these individuals, we also hope to inspire new determination in other young golfers around the world.”

Last year, the Salesmanship Club bestowed the inaugural Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards to five golfers from Texas, South Africa, Mexico and Denmark. The Awards were created to honor Byron Nelson and his well-known support of young golfers.

All four 2009 award recipients will attend the HP Byron Nelson Championship. They will be recognized at the Championship’s Opening Ceremony at noon on Tuesday, May 19, and will participate in the Youth Golf Clinic later that day at 5 p.m. on the TPC Four Seasons Practice Range. The formal awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. the same evening at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas. The award recipients will also walk inside the ropes with PGA TOUR players during the practice round on Tuesday.

DAVIS LOVE III COMMITS TO PLAY IN THE HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP

Irving, TX – Davis Love III has officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Love is No. 30 in the race for the FedExCup and No. 34 in PGA TOUR Money Leaders.

Davis has a total of 20 PGA TOUR wins, including the 1997 PGA Championship. His best 2009 finish was T2 at the Mercedes Benz Championship. This will be his ninth appearance at the Byron Nelson, with the first being in 1986.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

FRED COUPLES COMMITS TO PLAY IN THE HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP

Irving, TX – Fred Couples has officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Couples is No. 18 in PGA TOUR career earnings and No. 10 in birdie average.

Couples, who won the 1992 Masters, has claimed fifteen PGA TOUR victories. His most recent win was the 2003 Shell Houston Open and his best 2009 finish was T3 at the Northern Trust Open and Shell Houston Open. Couples won the Byron Nelson Championship in 1987, and this will be his 16th Championship appearance.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL CELEBRITY-AM

Irving, TX – The HP Byron Nelson Championship will host an exciting Celebrity-Am event Monday, May 18 at the Vaquero Club in Westlake, Texas. This exclusive event will feature a number of celebrity players, including country music star Pat Green, hockey great Brett Hull and football legend Roger Staubach.

A limited number of playing spots are still available. Celebrity players will be drawn at random on the day of the event.

The $7,500 Celebrity-Am package includes a playing spot with a celebrity and VIP treatment at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Sponsors will receive two Gold credentials, which allow admission to the tournament grounds and daily access to the Verandah, a private, air-conditioned area for sponsors which offers a lunch buffet and full bar Wednesday-Sunday of Championship week. Celebrity-Am sponsors will also receive one courseside valet parking pass for the week and 56 daily tickets or 28 weekly badges. A limited number of playing spots in this exclusive pro-am are available by calling 972.717.1200.

The complete list of celebrity players scheduled to play includes Donny Anderson, Miles Austin, Tim Brown, Tony Casillas, Matt Doherty, Billy Joe Dupree, Rudy Gatlin, Burton Gilliam, Terry Glenn, Pat Green, Marques Haynes, Stephen Howard, Oliver Hudson, Brett Hull, June Jones, Ed Jones, L.P. Ladouceur, Mickey Loomis, Matt McBriar, Mike Modano, Terrance Newman, Brad Richards, Roger Staubach, Jason Sehorn, Jim Sundberg, John Telchick, Winfred Tubbs, Marty Turco, Ed Werder and Jason Witten.

The Celebrity-Am is not a spectator event. Only those who have purchased a playing spot will have access to the Vaquero Club during the event.

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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Jack Ingram To Perform At 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship

Irving, TX – HP Byron Nelson Championship officials announced today that country music star Jack Ingram will perform at the Championship. Ingram is set to kick off Memorial Day weekend in the Pavilion After Dark, Friday, May 22 at 8:30 p.m. The show will be free to all patrons with a Championship ticket or badge. Tickets will be sold at the Championship’s main entrance and on Ticketmaster.com throughout Championship week.

Ingram, a Texas native and former Southern Methodist University student, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist award in 2008. He also won Wide Open Country Video of the Year award at the 2007 CMT Music Awards. His 2007 album This Is It rose to No. 4 on U.S. Charts, including the singles “Measure of a Man” and “Maybe She'll Get Lonely.”

Pavilion After Dark, a post-play entertainment venue, will be open to all Championship patrons Thursday through Saturday. Scheduled performers include:

• Emerald City Thursday, May 21 – 7:30 p.m.
• Jokersdeck Friday, May 22 – 7:00 p.m.
• Jack Ingram Friday, May 22 – 8:30 p.m.
• Professor D Saturday, May 23 – 5:30 p.m.

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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Danny Lee Accepts Exemption To Play In HP Byron Nelson Championship

Irving, TX – Danny Lee has officially accepted an exemption to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship.

Lee, who announced he was turning pro after playing in the 2009 Masters, was the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur last August at only 18 years old. His victory earned him the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

His best finish in 2009 was No. 1 at the Johnnie Walker Classic, which positioned him as the youngest winner ever on the European Tour. Lee claimed victory over a field including the likes of Anthony Kim and Camillo Villegas. This will be Lee’s first appearance at the Championship.

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit www.hpbnc.org.

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HP Byron Nelson Championship Announces Facebook And Twitter Promotion

Irving, TX – HP Byron Nelson Championship officials announced today that the first 100 new people to add the Championship as a friend on Facebook and the first 100 new people to follow the Championship’s Twitter will receive a $25 Championship merchandise gift card.

To friend the HP Byron Nelson Facebook, please go to http://www.facebook.com/people/Byron-Nelson-Championship/1456189821. To follow the HP Byron Nelson Twitter, please go to http://twitter.com/hpbyronnelson. Direct links are also available on http://www.hpbnc.org/socialmedia/.

HP Byron Nelson Championship officials will also announce daily contests through Facebook and Twitter starting May 4. Prizes will include tournament tickets, Championship hats and t-shirts, Four Seasons spa treatments, brunch for two at the Four Seasons, lunch for two at the Four Seasons, tournament badges and other great prizes.

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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Anthony Kim And Vijay Singh Commit To Play The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship

Irving, TX – Anthony Kim and Vijay Singh have officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Kim is No. 14 in the Official World Golf Ranking, No. 40 in the race for the FedExCup and No. 36 in PGA TOUR Money Leaders. Singh is No. 8 in the Official World Golf Ranking, No. 121 in the FedExCup standings and No. 105 in PGA TOUR Money Leaders.

Kim, a 23-year old University of Oklahoma graduate, has won two PGA TOUR events. His best finish this season was T2 in the Mercedes Benz Championship. Most recently, Kim claimed a Masters record in 2009 with 11 birdies in a round of 65. This will be Kim’s third appearance at the Championship.

Singh ranks No. 2 in PGA TOUR Career Earnings. He is the reigning FedExCup champion and has a total of 34 PGA TOUR victories, claiming three in 2008 alone. His best 2009 finish was T17 at World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. This will be Singh’s 10th Championship appearance, including a victory in 2003.
More
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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HP Byron Nelson Championship Goes Green

Irving, TX – In keeping with the spirit of Earth Day, the HP Byron Nelson Championship announces a number of initiatives to reduce the Championship’s carbon footprint. An official celebration will not take place on April 22, but rather will be practiced and carried out tournament week, May 18-24.

“Environmental sustainability is extremely important to us,” said Charley Spradley, 2009 tournament chairman. “We want to make sure that everything we put into place today helps future generations. You can feel good when you attend the HP Byron Nelson Championship. What our tournament is contributing goes a long way. In 2008 over 80% of all waste was recycled, including food, aluminum, plastic and paper.”

The 2009 Championship plans to implement the following “green” initiatives.

• Paper usage in 2009 has been greatly reduced by moving many items that were once printed to an online version.
• Media Guides will not be printed but will be placed on reusable HP jump drives.
• Recycled waste bags for all trash receptacles will be utilized.
• Continuing to recycle aluminum, plastic, paper, and food waste through waste management vendor, Allied Waste.
• Bio-diesel fuel will power generator’s on-site.
• Recycled mulch will be used in decorative areas.

“Earth Day is an annual celebration to honor our planet and to raise environmental awareness,” said Gary Elliott, vice president of corporate marketing for HP. “It is a day for individuals to stop and think about how their actions impact our environment and what they can do to help protect it.”

The Salesmanship Club of Dallas is excited to play a role in upholding Byron Nelson’s legacy, giving back to the community and playing a vital role in sustaining our environment.

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

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Ian Poulter Commits to Play 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship

Irving, TX – Ian Poulter has committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Poulter’s Official World Golf Ranking is No. 40 and he is No. 99 in the race for the FedExCup. He is No. 87 in Money Leaders on the PGA TOUR.

Poulter’s season highlight in 2008 was finishing second at the British Open. He also posted the best individual Ryder Cup record in Europe’s loss at Valhalla, finishing 4-1-0. His best 2009 finish was at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship where he was T9. This will be Poulter’s third appearance at the Championship. His best finish is T3 in 2007.

The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.

About the HP Byron Nelson Championship
The HP Byron Nelson Championship has been a premier event on the PGA TOUR since 1968. Dallas’ biggest sports attraction and most anticipated social event of the spring is also the most financially successful charity event on the PGA TOUR, raising over $107 million for children and families served by Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers. The great time moves to Memorial Day weekend in 2009 – May 18-24. A Great Time. A Greater Cause. Learn more at hpbnc.org.

About Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, Inc.
The Salesmanship Club has a rich history of serving children in our community. Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a proud partner of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, currently operates innovative programs for children and their families, including the J. Erik Jonsson Community School in Oak Cliff, and child and family therapy centers in Oak Cliff and the Stemmons corridor. From educational services for at-risk kids to therapy services for troubled kids, the charity beneficiary of the HP Byron Nelson Championship has continued to serve Dallas kids and families since 1920. Learn more at salesmanshipclub.org.

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The First ‘Fore’

How many firsts actually drive that desire to once again capture the initial feelings located with a first act. You may immediately begin thinking about your first kiss from that special someone. You might recall the excitement of your first day at a new job and how in your first hour you already saw yourself making a huge difference with the company and becoming CEO by the end of the week. That unforgettable first car that you got when you turned sixteen also comes to mind. The first solo drive when you got your license. So many firsts come to mind. What about with golf?

I think about my personal love for the game. I remember diligently working during high school and saving money to purchase my first set of clubs, Wilson Arrows. I spent hours at the driving range developing that perfect swing. Hours spent on the practice greens learning to navigate the variables of trimmed grasses. And more importantly I recall hearing the distinct sound of the ball dropping in the cup at the bottom of the hole nineteen feet away.

As I began to actually play, my first par and birdie were celebratory milestones. And that of course started with my first double and triple bogies that progressed on to a bogey after much practice. I remember playing golf often with my friends and family. My brother and sister were both on the golf teams in high school. During golf seasons we could be found together after school and work on the local courses playing a round or at driving ranges hitting balls. I remember the first time that I creamed a ball with my driver and flew twenty yards past my father, the seasoned golf veteran of the family. I still enjoy trips to the local Byron Nelson Classic. In 1997, when Tiger Woods was proving himself as an unstoppable golf force, I had tickets. I awaited golf greats to pass by my friend Jeff and I who sat in a perfectly shaded spot by the green of hole seventeen through out the day Championship Sunday. So many wonderful and special occasions still bring smiles to my face even after many years when recalling golf firsts.

One of my favorite memories is when one of my closest friends Shane decided to play golf for the first time. As we approached the first hole on a busy summer afternoon Shane was asking for pointers. Knowing full well that golf is arduously learned through the practical application of theories and countless hours of practice I told him to simply tee up the ball, swing the club, and hit it as far and straight as he possibly could. I teed off first so Shane could watch and mimic my moves. Selecting my driver, I knocked my ball 300 or so yards straight down the fairway, which wasn’t too bad with a breeze in our faces. All in all, a good shot. Then Shane teed up his ball.

There were two groups of amateur, self-proclaimed golf pros in foursomes behind us waiting their turns to tee-off. They quickly began critiquing Shane’s every movement as they could sense him struggling at the onset with his stance. I was standing even with Shane’s ball facing him to give what little direction I could. Shane stepped forward and backwards a few times. He adjusted his grip on the club. Then stood with his legs a bit too far apart and corrected the awkwardness as best he could. With all of his might, he brought back the driver and swung for the fences.

In a split second as Shane struck the ball and yelled “Fore” there was a thunderous CRASH that sent bystanders ducking for cover. The crowd of momentarily frightened men that flinched at the sound of the deafening BANG, then began to laugh uncontrollably. Directly to the left of the green twenty yards away, was a tool shed and dumpster. To this day I am still not quite sure how the ball took an exact ninety-degree trajectory course and ricocheted repeatedly between the two. Immediately a startled employee flew out of the tool shed nearly falling down as he ran asking what had happened. The small crowd then erupted with a violent laughter as the employee slowed and stood looking around with a puzzled look on his face.

The day was a blast filled with lots of laughter and a small amount of first time frustration. I always enjoy a great game of golf. Especially with good friends. And that is a shared first that I will never forget.