PODS Championship charity awarded

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR has announced that Academy Prep Center for Education, the primary charity of the PODS Championship (Tampa Bay, Fla.), has been chosen as the 2007 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year.

With two schools in the Tampa Bay area, Academy Prep serves to promote the educational, social and ethical development of middle school students who qualify for full need-based scholarships and who have the ability and desire to succeed in a rigorous academic program to become positive, productive members of society.

Academy Prep transforms the lives of its students. In areas where only 50 percent of adults hold a high school diploma, 95 percent of Academy Prep graduates are in high school, college or have graduated from high school.

Most graduates attend some of the most competitive college preparatory schools and colleges in the area and the country.

"It has been amazing to see the influence that Academy Prep has had on the lives of young people in the Tampa Bay community," said Gerald Goodman, PODS Championship tournament director. "The PODS Championship is honored to be involved and associated with Academy Prep, and proud that the PGA TOUR has recognized such a worthy organization as its Charity of the Year."

For the last six years, Academy Prep students, families, staff and trustees have volunteered thousands of hours on-site at the PODS Championship in various capacities. At this week's PODS Championship, Academy Prep students are serving as standard bearers for the second, third and final rounds while their families and Academy Prep faculty and staff will serve in other roles.

As PGA TOUR Charity of the Year, Academy Prep will receive $30,000 for the enhancement of library facilities, including books and supplemental materials, reading assessment software for the classrooms and computer labs, and library equipment.

For more information on Academy Prep, go to www.academyprep.org.