Students shadow golf, leadership experts at PGA TOUR Event

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2007--Fifty high school students from worldwide chapters of The First Tee will see that golf is more than a game while attending the first-ever Future Leaders Forum, Nov. 1-4, 2007 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The forum is being held in conjunction with the Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart, the final stop on the 2007 PGA TOUR Fall Series.

The Future Leaders Forum is a once-in-a-lifetime, three-day immersion in the sport, business and science of golf. The Toro Company, Walt Disney World Resort and The First Tee joined forces to help prepare high school students for college and the future.

An innovative educational program including topics in and outside of golf, the forum offers students an exclusive opportunity to learn about career opportunities beyond the game. Students will shadow PGA TOUR tournament staff to discover what it takes to run a professional golf tournament. In addition, they will learn first-hand from industry leaders about career opportunities in turf management, entertainment, human relations, marketing, the sport of golf - and beyond. For many students, the forum will provide access to their very first professional golf event, and access to some of the world's most renowned golfers and golf industry leaders.

"The young people selected represent our future. This is a unique learning platform that will allow The First Tee participants to explore a variety of career opportunities within and outside the golf industry," said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., The First Tee executive director. "On behalf of The First Tee, I would like to thank The Toro Company, Walt Disney World Resort and the PGA TOUR for helping us make this new program possible."

Recognized as a preeminent youth development organization, The First Tee has opened more than 260 golf-learning facilities in 47 states and five international locations and has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 1.5 million participants.

The 50 high school students, from 30 Chapters of The First Tee, were selected through an essay competition and application process. Nominees submitted a 200-word essay about their career aspirations and post-high school plans; a letter from a parent on how this program would impact the student and the family; and a letter from the executive director of their Chapter describing the student's leadership skills. A complete list of participants is included below.

"We all stand to be inspired by these young individuals' desire to learn," said Michael Hoffman, chairman and CEO of The Toro Company. "A career in the golf business isn't limited to being a professional golfer. We're excited to introduce these talented students to many related career opportunities so that, someday, they might be leaders in our industry."

Future Leaders Forum Curriculum

The First Tee, Walt Disney World Resort and The Toro Company worked in collaboration to provide the attendees a unique curriculum in leadership development and career preparedness. Some of the courses include:

• Disney's Leadership Excellence - Students will learn Disney's approach to leadership and how to apply those philosophies to personal goals and leadership styles.
• Turf Science - Interactive discussion on various aspects of turf, and how new innovations in equipment and irrigation technologies are shaping the golf industry and the landscapes students help maintain at home.
• Career Track - Focus on college preparation and exploring career opportunities in and outside the golf industry.
• Golf Management - Hosted by the PGA of America, the session provides an overview of the golf industry and opportunities in golf through the PGA's Professional Golf Management program.

"The young people selected for the inaugural Future Leaders Forum already have shown a commitment to incorporating the values they've acquired on the golf course - such as integrity, honesty and sportsmanship - into their personal lives," said Reggie Williams, vice president of Disney Sports Attractions. "We commend them for their achievements and look forward to further inspiring them in this special place where dreams come true every day."

FUTURE LEADERS FORUM PARTICIPANTS

Jared        Andrzejewski  The First Tee of Sharon (PA)
Ashley       Bogaerts      The First Tee of Phoenix
Dawn         Carroll       The First Tee of Modesto (CA)
Darius       Chappell      The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Clay         Cooper        The First Tee of Central Coast (CA)
                           The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and
Monica       Dias           The First Tee of Connecticut
Sara Marcela Diaz          The First Tee of San Antonio
Jamison      Dye           The First Tee of Southern Nevada
Brent        Edelman       The First Tee of Central Coast (CA)
Cherly Lynn  Fedmaier      The First Tee of Greater Austin
Johnie       Freatman      The First Tee of Greater Seattle
Tyler        Fricks        The First Tee of Chattanooga
                           The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and
Trust        Garcia         The First Tee of Connecticut
Caron        Garstka       The First Tee of Greater Austin
                           The First Tee of Three Rivers Park District
Katie        Gustafson      (MN)
Amber        Hardeman      The First Tee of Dallas
Nathan       Holliday      The First Tee of St. Louis
Randon       Holt          The First Tee of Atlanta
Brittany     Jackson       The First Tee of Augusta
Natalie      Koh           The First Tee of Singapore
Ariel        Leigh         The First Tee of Greater Austin
Wesley       Levanduski    The First Tee of Central Coast
Sydnee       Mack          The First Tee of Southern Nevada
Corey        Moran         The First Tee of Pine Mountain (KY)
Adam         Morrison      The First Tee of Chattanooga
Kristine     Moy           The First Tee of San Francisco
                           The First Tee of Three Rivers Park District
Angela       Nelson         (MN)
Ryan         Porter        The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Richard      Powell, Jr.   The First Tee of Chattanooga
Anthony      Puello        The First Tee of Beaver Falls (PA)
Alyssa       Ramont        The First Tee of Modesto (CA)
Clarence     Roby, III     The First Tee of New Orleans
Kenneth      Romero        The First Tee of Central Coast (CA)
Raven        Sanders       The First Tee of Houston/Redstone
Sarah        Scheidemantel The First Tee of Beaver Falls (PA)
Jennifer     Smitheram     The First Tee of Contra Costa (CA)
Joseph       Sobaski       The First Tee of Southern Nevada
Daniel       Stewart       The First Tee of the North Bay (CA)
Sara         Taylor        The First Tee of Portland
Ryan         Thill         The First Tee of Greater Austin
Christine    Thrift        The First Tee of Fort Smith (AR)
Keller       Tomassi       The First Tee of Atlanta
John         Toungate      The First Tee of Greater Austin
Jeffrey      Tran          The First Tee of Augusta
Brandon      Urbano        The First Tee of Greater Sacramento
John         Varner        The First Tee of the Children's Course (OR)
Christopher  Wall          The First Tee of Connecticut
Priscilla    Ward          The First Tee of Washington DC
Latish       Whyte         The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
George       Williams      The First Tee of Detroit

Since 1998, Toro has been a premier corporate partner and preferred supplier of golf course maintenance and irrigation equipment for The First Tee. Toro also is the official provider of turf and irrigation equipment for Walt Disney World Resort.

About The Toro Company

The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of outdoor beautification products, support services and integrated solutions. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands that serve a customer base that includes golf course superintendents, sports field managers, landscape and irrigation contractors, fruit and vegetable growers and homeowners. Through the Toro Giving Program, Toro is committed to beautifying and preserving outdoor environments, enhancing communities and improving people's lives. The contributions - monetary, in-kind and volunteerism - are focused on improving communities where our employees live, work and play, as well as strengthening the turf industry. Visit the company web site at www.thetorocompany.com.

About Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort, located in Central Florida near Orlando, is a complete vacation destination featuring themed resort hotels, theme parks, water parks, golf and recreation, a state-of-the-art sports complex, shopping, dining and nightlife. Guest information and reservations are available at www.disneyworld.com, by calling 407-W DISNEY or by visiting a local travel agent.

About The First Tee

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine, FL at World Golf Village, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to over 1.5 million participants and students in 47 states and five international locations - Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Singapore. Former President George Bush serves as honorary chairman.

CONTACT: The Toro Company Branden Happel, 952-887-8930 branden.happel@toro.com or Walt Disney World Resort Kim Prunty, 407-934-7340 kim.prunty@disney.com or The First Tee Steve Gerrish, 904-940-4314 sgerrish@thefirsttee.org

SOURCE: The Toro Company