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Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic Raises Funds for The First Tee of Greater El Paso November 14, 2014

Over $20,000 were raised to benefit The First Tee of Greater El Paso during the 40th Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic.

Rare autographed golf collectibles were auctioned off during the welcome dinner that brought 20 of the nation’s top collegiate golfers to El Paso. Western Refining Inc. pledged to match up to $10,000 of funds raised through the live auction.

“Western Refining has been a longtime supporter of the First Tee of El Paso program,” said Gary Hanson, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Western Refining and chairman of the All-American Golf Classic. “It is a great program that teaches the principles of life through golf. We are pleased to help contribute to this great program and all the benefits it provides to the young people of El Paso.”

Aside from auctioning golf collectibles, guests in attendance were able to make monetary contributions to benefit the nonprofit headed by LPGA veteran Kristi Albers.

“It’s very nice when the Western Refining community can come together and support a local program such as The First Tee of Greater El Paso,” said Albers. “The Sun Bowl Western Refining All-American Golf Classic allowed us to have a live auction of some of our pin flags from the four PGA tour majors this year.

“Western Refining matched every dollar that was won for each flag up to $10,000. I, personally, was left speechless by this auction as the support was overwhelming. It’s always nice to know that people notice the great things we are doing at The First Tee of Greater El Paso.”

Albers founded the organization in 2008 following her retirement as a golf professional.

The First Tee of Greater El Paso uses a 3,000 sq. foot clubhouse for their classroom activities. Children ages 5-18 from the El Paso area and its surrounding communities can join the organization for low annual and session fees. Scholarships are available to those who require it.

More information about the organization can be found on their website http://www.thefirstteegreaterelpaso.org, or by calling (915) 252-6511 or e-mailing info@thefirstteegreaterelpaso.org.