First Tee Executive Office Joe Louis Barrow Hospitalized

Joe Louis Barrow, Chief Executive Officer of the First Tee is currently in stable condition at a West Palm Beach hospital following a hrmorrhagic stroke.

Barrow, the son of boxing legend Joe Louis, has been with the First Tee since 2000. He has overseen the organizations growth into a multimillion dollar operation with 200 chapters in all fifty states, and an additional six overseas. The organization has served nearly eight million young people since its inception. Among the program’s graduates is PGA TOUR winner Scott Piercy.

Doctors are optimistic about a full recovery.

A press release follows:

St. Augustine, Fla. (Nov. 25, 2013) – Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee, was hospitalized this weekend. The following statement was made by Steve Mona, Chief Executive Officer of the World Golf Foundation:

“The First Tee Chief Executive Officer, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., experienced a hemorrhagic stroke Saturday November 23. Currently, Joe is in stable condition in the intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. He is responsive and communicating clearly. Joe will remain hospitalized for at least the next 48 hours as doctors continue to evaluate his condition and determine when he is capable of being moved. The medical team treating Joe is optimistic about a full recovery absent any complications.”

About The First Tee

The First Tee (http://www.thefirsttee.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools, at other youth-serving locations and on military installations.

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 7.6 million young people in all 50 United States and four international locations. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation and its Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.

About World Golf Foundation

The World Golf Foundation (WGF) is a nonprofit organization that develops and supports initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values. The Foundation, which was founded in 1993 and is supported by major international golf organizations and professional Tours, provides oversight to World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, The First Tee, GOLF 20/20 and other industry initiatives in support of its mission.  As sole founding partner of the World Golf Foundation, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays a lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.