Released on: September 17, 2008, 5:14 am

Press Release Author: Bill Conwell

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: Spirited Junior, Amateur, and Professional Competitions
Benefit the Ted Rhodes Foundation and Junior Golf at St. Andrew’s in West Chicago.


Press Release Body: Saginaw, TX, September 17, 2008 -- Graced with two beautiful
late summer days in Chicago, the inaugural Ted Rhodes Classic featured outstanding
golf by all skill levels from juniors to seniors, amateurs to professionals, scratch
players to high-handicappers – in the spirit of diversity for the benefit of the Ted
Rhodes Foundation. After 17 years of conducting the legendary Ted Rhodes Legends
Tour (TRLT), The TR Classic saw golfers come together from across the country from
the TRLT, the International Players Tour (IPT), and local Chicago juniors for this
memorable tournament. Sponsors played a big role in the success of the event as
well, with Titleist, Golf Digest, Basic Golf, Lexus of Orland Park, and Attorney
Thomas E. Vaughn providing substantial support for player gifts and prizes. In an
emotional presentation at the awards banquet, Peggy Rhodes-White, President of the
Ted Rhodes Foundation stated, "I can feel my father Ted Rhodes' presence with us
with a big smile, knowing that we are providing opportunities for the youth of today
in this great game that he loved and spent his entire life pursuing. I know he
would be pleased with what we are doing and would say - ‘Continue doing what you are
doing.’”

The Junior Division competition provided some great shot making, and the golfers
truly showed what exciting prowess exists in the junior ranks. Katie Kim, an 11 year
old from Central School in Glencoe IL, earned 1st Place in the Girls competition,
with 10 and 8 year old sisters Erica and Myah Jackson finishing in 2nd and 3rd.
Jason Mathus, an 11 year old from Carnegie Elementary in Chicago, found the Winner’s
Circle in the Boy’s Competition, followed by Michael Owens and AJ Hopkins.

Amateur Division play featured players from across the country in some keen
competition. In the end, however, it was Dorothy Chemenju from Chicago capturing the
1st Place Trophy, with Diane Meades as the Runner-up in the Women’s Division. Joe
Lambert drove in from Pine Bluff Arkansas to bring home the win in the Men’s
Division, followed by Michael Woods from Fairview Heights, IL, and Ronald McPherson
from Lanham, MD.

In the Professional Division, veteran 14-handicapper Tom Collins forced a playoff
with Danny Keslinke with some stellar play during the 36 hole event, but Keslinke, a
6 handicapper from the Chicago area, ultimately claimed victory on the first playoff
hole. Keslinke earned the honor as the first Ted Rhodes Classic Pro Division winner
and took home over $1500 in prize money.

Ron Beaman, Founder & CEO of the IPT, summed up the historical event by saying,
“This was truly a memorable event for golf and The Ted Rhodes Foundation, and we
were honored to launch this annual event with Peggy and her team. The participation
of the kids also brought a new dimension to the competition, and it was great to
meet so many parents supporting their kids as they pursue their dreams. We look
forward to planning future events and expanding the playing opportunities for all.”

About Ted Rhodes Foundation

Since taking the reigns of the foundation in 1994 Peggy Rhodes White has worked
tireless 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, we
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 there skills
by playing in the Ted Rhodes tournament. Recently we have provided opportunities for
junior golfers to compete with other golfers as well as given 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 Horseshoe Bay 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.


For Information Contact:

Peggy Rhodes-White
Ted Rhodes Foundation
(773) 785-9009
TedRhodesGolf@aol.com

Bill Conwell
International Players Tour
6709 Alexandria LN
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 366-2047
bill.conwell@ipgtour.com
http://www.ipgtour.com

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

Contact Details: Bill Conwell
International Players Tour
6709 Alexandria LN
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 366-2047
bill.conwell@ipgtour.com
http://www.ipgtour.com