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Former President Bush Wins Ford Award for Golf Initiative

17 July 2000

    DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Company has recognized former President George 
Bush at the Ambassadors Charity Ball for his involvement in The First Tee, a 
national initiative to make golf accessible to people from all walks of life, 
especially young people.

    Bush, who has been honorary chair of The First Tee since 1997, accepted
the award at the annual gala, held during the Ford Senior Players Championship
in Dearborn.

    "Pitching in to help the PGA tour, Ford Motor Company and the other
outstanding partners whose selfless efforts have made The First Tee program
the success it is today, are much like a six-inch gimme putt," Bush said.
"It's a terrific example of what I call 'points of light' in action.  And the
real credit belongs to everyone who works everyday to bring the timeless
values and the endless joy of golf to disadvantaged kids across America."

    Carlos Mazzorin, group vice president, Global Purchasing and South
America, Ford Motor Company, said Ford appreciates Bush's dedication to the
worthwhile initiative.  "Through the former president's efforts, a lot of
people are able to learn and enjoy a sport they may never have considered," he
said.

    The First Tee was created by the World Golf Foundation to make the game of
golf more accessible and affordable to those, particularly to young people,
who are economically disadvantaged.

    Ford contributed $2.1 million last summer to the design and construction
of a First Tee golf-training center on Belle Isle in Detroit.  The facility,
which opened last June, was the first facility in a statewide First Tee of
Michigan program.

    The First Tee provides golf management expertise, consulting services and
land planning to communities interested in creating chapters.  Public-private
partnerships in each community are the primary funding source for each
facility.

    The Ford-sponsored Ambassadors Charity Ball is held to recognize the
Ambassadors Club, an organization developed by Ford in conjunction with its
sponsorship of the Ford Senior Players Championship.  The Senior Players
Championship has raised more than $4 million for Southeastern Michigan
charities since Ford began its sponsorship in 1993.