A Week of Activities Marks the 15th Year of Tournament

Akron, OH (August 24, 1998)

The NEC World Series of Golf draws professional golfers from 76 qualifying tournaments around the world. Over 50 pros from a dozen countries have qualified (as of August 11) to compete in this year's tournament on Firestone's legendary South Course. All qualifiers are winners of major domestic PGA TOUR and international tournaments during the past 12 months and will be competing for $405,000 in first place prize money and a new, state-of-the-art NEC Versa® SX multimedia notebook computer.

"NEC has always been proud to sponsor events that promote communication between people and nations like the NEC World Series of Golf has done for the past 15 years," said Jim Carpenter, senior vice president of NEC USA, Inc. "We now look forward to lending our efforts to the new NEC Invitational and working with the world's leading professional golf tours to continue NEC's long tradition of sponsoring world class sporting events."

ABOUT THE NEC INVITATIONAL

With the cooperation of the five major golf Tours (the PGA TOUR, European PGA Tour, the Southern Africa PGA Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia and the PGA Tour of Japan) the International Federation of PGA Tours was created in 1996. Starting in 1999, they will jointly sanction four events that make up The World Golf Championships ¾ the Andersen Consulting Match-Play Championship, the American Express Championship, a team event (beginning in the year 2000) and the NEC Invitational.

A WEEK OF CELEBRATION AT A GLANCE

• NEC 5K Classic Run ¾ Sunday, August 23, 9:00 a.m., E. Warner Road
  The NEC World Series of Golf week in Akron kicks off with the NEC 5K Classic Run, a 3.1-mile footrace that follows through the golf paths at Firestone Country Club. Men, women and children of all ages participate in the race and compete for a variety of awards, including $500 cash prizes to the first male and female to cross the finish line.
  
  
• Junior Golf Program ¾ Monday, August 24, 3:00 p.m., Edwin Shaw Hospital Challenge Course
  In its third year, this program, coordinated by the Akron Jaycee Foundation, helps to bring the game of golf to inner-city youth who may otherwise have limited opportunities to experience the sport. 60 boys and girls from the Akron Urban League are scheduled to participate in an instructional clinic and are expected to be presented starter sets of golf clubs. Representatives from NEC, Akron Jaycees, Akron Golf Charities and PGA TOUR will participate in a dedication ceremony for a newly constructed green at the Edwin Shaw Hospital Course.
  
  
• Kids' Day ¾ Tuesday, August 25, beginning 9:00 a.m., Firestone Country Club
  Kids' Day features putting contests, prizes, a golf clinic and more for children ages 3-15.
  
  
• Opening Ceremonies ¾ Tuesday, August 25, 3:00 p.m., first tee, South Course
  
  
  
• Ambassador Club Am-Am ¾ August 24-25, Firestone Country Club North Course
  Two teams of amateur golfers will compete in the Ambassador Club Best Ball tournament.
  
  
• Ambassador Club Pro Am ¾ August 26, Firestone Country Club South Course
  A prelude to the NEC World Series of Golf, two teams of amateurs will play with World Series qualifiers or other golf professionals who are guests of the NEC World Series of Golf.
  
  
• Ambassador of Golf ¾ August 26, 7:00 p.m., Firestone Country Club
  The 1998 Ambassador of Golf award will be presented during a ceremony to an individual who has fostered the ideals of golf on an international level, and whose concern for others extends beyond the golf course. Ken Venturi, winner of the 1964 U.S. Open and a member of the U.S. golf broadcast team for over 30 years, will receive this year's award.
  
  
• First Round August 27, 1998 - 11:00 a.m. 4-6 p.m. EDT USA Network
  
• Second Round August 28, 1998 - 11:00 a.m. 4-6 p.m. EDT USA Network
  
• Third Round August 29, 1998 - 11:00 a.m. 4-6 p.m. EDT CBS Sports
  
• Final Round August 30, 1998 - 11:00 a.m. 4-6 p.m. EDT CBS Sports