Sharpie, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Renew Commitment In Making A Bold Mark For Georgia Communities

Atlanta (May 18, 2004) – The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl today announced that Sharpie, the popular brand of permanent markers, is extending its title sponsorship of the ACC/SEC Golf Invitational for another year.


Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conference coaches, officials and celebrities will join nearly 200 golfers May 23-24 in the sixth annual Sharpie ACC/SEC Golf Invitational – a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl event – to benefit the Georgia Baptist Health Care System’s Mobile Unit, which travels the state providing health care to disadvantaged communities. With this year’s expected contribution, the charitable outing has raised more than $62,000 in the last six years.



Maryland’s Head Coach Ralph Friedgen, Virginia Tech’s Head Coach Frank Beamer, Georgia Tech’s Dave Braine and Wes Durham, and Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton are among the many university representatives to take part in this year’s event.



“We are proud to sponsor an event that helps raise money for such a positive program for the state of Georgia,” said Rory Leyden, chief marketing officer for Sanford, makers of Sharpie, and vice president and general manager for Sharpie. “And we are pleased to join some of the boldest personalities in coaching to make a difference.”



Newell Rubbermaid, the parent company of Sanford North America – maker of the nation’s number-one brand of permanent markers, recently relocated their corporate headquarters to the Atlanta area from Illinois. This is Sharpie’s second year as title sponsor of the event.



“Sharpie’s vision and leadership helped to make last year’s golf event our best-ever,” said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl president. “This year is going to be even bigger and better as we look forward to donating a record amount to the Georgia Baptist Health Care System and hosting another spectacular event.”



The Sharpie ACC/SEC Golf Invitational was established in 1998 as a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Festival Division event. Each spring, the golf invitational draws officials and celebrities from conferences affiliated with the Bowl to Atlanta to participate in a two-day event that includes a pre-golf dinner reception, entertainment and golf tournament to benefit local Atlanta charities.



www.Chick-fil-APeachBowl.com



Contact:

Matt Garvey, 404-586-8496

mgarvey@macoc.com



Mike Finn, 708-649-3431

Sharpie

Mike.finn@sanfordcorp.com