BELLSOUTH SENIOR CLASSIC AT OPRYLAND MAKES LARGEST CHARITY DONATION IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - October 3, 2000 ­ In a presentation today representatives for the BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland announced this year's total contribution of $300,000 to five local charities. This is the BellSouth Senior Classic's largest contribution to date with an increase of $100,000 over its 1999 contribution.

Over the past seven years the BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland has donated a total of $1.3 million to Tennessee charities, making the tournament one of the leading professional sports contributors to Nashville charities.

"The BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland is having a truly positive impact in Nashville," said Marty Dickens, president BellSouth Tennessee. "It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of SENIOR PGA TOUR play ­ especially when you have players like Hale Irwin heading up a star-studded leaderboard of rookie and veteran players.

"But the real excitement to BellSouth is when we have positively changed the lives of families living in our community," continued Dickens. "We are proud to lead one of Nashville's premiere professional sporting events, but most important to us is making lives better for people in Middle Tennessee."

Dickens was joined by Jack Gaines, president, Opryland Hospitality & Attractions for Gaylord Entertainment, and Dr. Harry Jacobson, vice chancellor Health Affairs for Vanderbilt, who spoke on behalf of the five charities receiving the record $300,000 contribution.

The five charities receiving donations were Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Family & Children's Service, Tennessee Lions Charities, The First Tee and Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America. Children benefiting from those organizations accepted the contribution.

Each year, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital serves more than 60,000 children from Tennessee, southern Kentucky and northern Alabama, as well as from other states and countries. It was founded 27 years ago as the region's only hospital dedicated solely to the care of children. The hospital is expanding its capabilities by building a new state-of-the-art, freestanding facility adjacent to the current hospital. Contributions from the BellSouth Senior Classic will help further that expansion effort.

Family and Children's Service will use the money it received to continue providing counseling in times of crisis for children, individuals and families regardless of their ability to pay. The agency, which has served Middle Tennessee since 1943, also provides counseling for families considering adoption, and finds nurturing, adoptive families for children with special needs.

Tennessee Lions Charities, Inc., founded in 1995, is the charitable arm of the Lions Clubs of Tennessee. Funds will be used to support the free eye-screening program for preschool children as well as to develop and implement new programs to benefit visually impaired Tennesseans. Since 1997, over 30,000 children have received a free eye screenings conducted by Lions Club volunteers.

The First Tee, a program of the World Golf Foundation, creates affordable and accessible golf facilities for those who ordinarily would not have the opportunity to learn and play the game. The goal is to provide kids from every walk of life the chance to learn a game that teaches values for life and can be played a lifetime. Support from the tournament will assist The Tennessee Golf Foundation with Nashville's First Tee Chapter, The VinnyLinks at Shelby Park.

The Middle Tennessee Council, Boy Scouts of America, which serves over 45,000 youth in 37 mid-state counties, instills values in young people and prepares them to make ethical choices during their lifetime in achieving their full potential. Funds received from the BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland will allow capital improvements at Boxwell Reservation, the centerpiece of the council's program facilities. The enhancement and revitalization provided to this 40-year-old facility will empower the Middle Tennessee Council to continue the long-term summer camp for Cub and Boy Scouts.

The BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland is held each year at the Springhouse Golf Club, a Gaylord Entertainment Company property, and is considered one of the premiere stops on the SENIOR PGA TOUR.

BellSouth is a $26 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications services, Internet, data and e-commerce applications, wireless communications, cable and digital TV, and online and directory advertising to more than 40 million customers in 18 countries worldwide.

Phil Martin
615-254-6785

Pattie Kushner
404-249-2365

###

For more information, contact: