Ford Land Inaugurates Charitable Golf Event To Honor Memory of United Way's Virgil H. Carr

DEARBORN, Mich., June 27 -- As part of the Ford Senior Players Championship, Ford Land will present the inaugural Virgil H. Carr Memorial United Way Invitational at the TPC of Michigan on Monday, July 14, 2003. The event is held to honor Virgil H. Carr, president and CEO of United Way Community Services, who died May 30, 2003.

The outing will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude with a lunch reception and program. Participants will play the course under the same conditions and pin placements as professionals play in the final round of the Ford Senior Players Championship.

"While the United Way has been a beneficiary of tournament proceeds in the past, we wanted to create a new event to strengthen Ford's partnership with the Champions Tour and the United Way while honoring one of Detroit's most prominent community leaders," said Sean McCourt, chairman of Ford Land.

"United Way Community Services is grateful to Ford Land for hosting an exciting event that will further Virgil Carr's legacy of caring," said Ralph W. Babb Jr., United Way Community Services chair of the board, and chairman, president and CEO, Comerica. "Thanks to the generosity of Ford Land and the event's sponsors and participants, needed funds will be generated to support more than 340 community services and programs in metro Detroit."

Lear Corporation is the Luncheon Sponsor for the Invitational. Foursomes and other sponsorship opportunities can be purchased by calling (313) 390- 3110. Proceeds from the event will be donated to United Way Community Services' 2003 Torch Drive campaign.

The Ford Senior Players Championship contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to charities in metro Detroit. The Championship will be played July 7-13 at the TPC of Michigan.

United Way Community Services links the community to mobilize volunteer, financial and information resources to meet efficiently the human service needs of Detroit and southeastern Michigan. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way Community Services funds more than 340 tri-county programs and services through its annual Torch Drive. These programs impact local people each year by providing services that increase economic self-sufficiency, protect children and youth at risk, strengthen families, empower neighborhoods and communities, and promote health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.unitedway.uwcs.org .