Released on: March 2, 2008, 11:01 pm

Press Release Author: Ron Beaman

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: The International Players Tour (IPT) will join Ted Rhodes
Legends Tour in the annual event as part of their regular schedule to support junior
golf programs, as well as to honor one of the true legends of the game - Ted Rhodes.
The two organizations have signed a multi-year Strategic Partnership Agreement to
work together on several initiatives.


Press Release Body: Chicago, IL, March 03, 2008--Since 1994, The Ted Rhodes Legends
Tour (TRLT) has held an annual 36-hole Pro-Am Classic event the weekend after Labor
Day to benefit The Ted Rhodes Foundation, which supports junior golf programs
throughout the country. The Foundation was established by Peggy Rhodes-White in
honor of her father, Ted Rhodes, one of the pioneers of African American golf in the
United States. Beginning in 2008, the International Players Tour (IPT) will join
TRLT in the annual event as part of their regular schedule to support junior golf
programs, as well as to honor one of the true legends of the game - Ted Rhodes. The
two organizations have signed a multi-year Strategic Partnership Agreement to work
together on several initiatives. "The Ted Rhodes Foundation is very excited about
our partnership with IPT", stated Peggy Rhodes-White, Founder and President of the
Ted Rhodes Foundation. Ms. Rhodes-White added, "Our partnership with IPT will
greatly assist the foundation in achieving its mission of educating the public about
Ted Rhodes as well as providing opportunities for more people - young and old - to
play the 'Sport of Kings' known as golf."

"We're truly honored to be working with Peggy and the TRLT on this project," stated
Ron Beaman, Founder and President of the IPT, "and the benefits that will accrue to
junior golfers across the nation as a result of our joint efforts will certainly be
gratifying." The combined tour event will be held in a TBD Chicago location on
September 6-7, 2008, and will consist of three divisions of play with different
entry fees and purse levels. The event will be open to the public, and registration
will start soon on several different websites to be announced.

A.J. Ali, President and CEO of Eclipse Sports, is credited with introducing TRLT and
IPT in the creation of this landmark event, and will assist with sponsorship
development for the tournament. "The marriage of the International Players Tour and
the Ted Rhodes Legends Tour event is a match whose time is long overdue. I\'m a big
proponent of promoting diversity in our great game of golf to make it more
reflective of the beautiful diversity of our country. It is refreshing that the
fairly new and very progressive International Players Tour would embrace the memory
of one of golf\'s unsung heroes. This partnership brings together a great event with
a revolutionary tour," AJ states, and further adds, "Ted Rhodes\' legacy is that of a
person who fought for an equal playing field - he just wanted to compete at the
highest level possible in his chosen sport. His sustained efforts to bring equality
into the game have allowed anyone capable of competing at the game\'s highest level
the ability to do so. Similarly, the IPT was formed to give anyone that wants to
compete for money using their handicap, a professional tour environment in which to
compete. The IPT is a great step in the right direction, legitimizing what millions
of golfers do every week in their private groups and creating a third category of
competitive golfer. I\'m very excited to see the IPT endorse the work of Ted\'s
daughter, Peggy Rhodes-White, by partnering with her to keep Ted's golf legacy alive
in the form of this great event - now made even greater."

About Ted Rhodes Foundation

Since taking the reigns of the foundation in 1994 Peggy Rhodes White has worked
tirelessly to fulfill the mission statement of the foundation, which is, to
paraphrase, "To provide opportunities for professional and amateurs of all ages to
play golf at its highest level and to educate the public as well as the entire
golfing community of Ted Rhodes accomplishments as an African-American golfer as
well as his many contributions to the community and the game of golf.

The foundation accomplishes these goals by several means. Yearly, since 1994, they
have presented a PGA quality event where golfers from all over the USA come to play.
The event has drawn golfers from as far away as Australia. There are a number of
golfers participating in PGA Events and The Nationwide Tour who honed their skills
by playing in the Ted Rhodes tournament. Recently we have provided opportunities for
junior golfers to compete with other golfers as well as give scholarships to various
junior golf programs throughout the USA. The foundation has been fortunate enough to
receive a lot of media support such as Golf Digest, Golf World, PGA Golf.com, and
Local Newspapers throughout the country. Fox 32(Chicago) aired a ten minute segment
on Ted Rhodes with interviews of Peggy and others who knew Ted Rhodes. Check out
Uneven Lies by Pete McDaniel (Senior Writer for Golf Digest) for some little known
information on the foundation and Ted Rhodes. ABC recently aired a documentary
"Rainbow on the Green" that is part of the American Legacy Series that was created
by noted actor & director Tim Reid (WKRP in Cincinnati) with commentary by Pete
McDaniel. There were some great pictures which were provided by the Foundation on
Ted Rhodes. The documentary also provided some exciting information about Ted Rhodes
struggles as well as his accomplishments.

About International Players Tour (IPT):

International Players Tour (operated by prior management of Champions Golf Tour
(CGT), was launched in January 2008 for the purpose of bringing PGA style
competition to avid golfers everywhere. Operations began in April 2002 under the
banner of the Champions Golf Tour, which was founded by Ron Beaman in the
Dallas/Ft.Worth area. Ron developed a business model that would provide avid
recreational golfers a chance to play in an environment similar to major tour events
- "inside the ropes" for significant prize money - utilizing a proprietary handicap
system.

After conducting its first event in June, 2002, CGT followed with 17 tournaments in
2002 and awarded nearly $60,000 in prize money. Significant and sustained growth has
occurred in subsequent years in player participation, number of events, and prize
money. With over 1200 players in their system, IPT management conducted over 150
events in 2007 within ten state and twelve metropolitan city areas with payouts
exceeding $570,000. In 2008, the IPT will conduct 200+ events in fifteen different
metro areas, culminating in the Tour Championship at the Horseshoe Bay Marriott
Resort in Texas, with the winner taking home $20,000 in guaranteed first place prize
money.

"The Model that Works" is now being adopted effectively and implemented successfully
in multiple cities, with projected expansion into 5-10 new markets each year -
including international locations - through a unique licensing rights program.

In addition, IPT has expanded its 2008 Senior Tour Division schedule to include
10-12 new 54-hole events across the USA. The Senior Tour Division provides playing
opportunities for seniors with competitive aspirations on the PGA Champions Tour or
maintaining their level of competition for significant purses. See www.ipgtour.com
for further details.
Press release distribution by PressReleasePoint(http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/).

For Information Contact:

Peggy Rhodes-White
Ted Rhodes Foundation
(773) 785-9009
TedRhodesGolf@aol.com
Bill Conwell
International Players Tour
704.277.3703
bill.conwell@ipgtour.com


Contact Information

Ron Beaman
International Players Tour
Chicago, IL
United States.
817 232-1773
info@ipgtour.com
http://www.ipgtour.com

Web Site: http://www.ipgtour.com

Contact Details: Ron Beaman
International Players Tour
Chicago, IL
United States.
817 232-1773
info@ipgtour.com
http://www.ipgtour.com