SAN JOSE, Calif., June 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Bell Microproducts Inc. (Pink Sheets:BELM), one of the world's largest value-added distributors of storage and computing technology, is teaming up with The First Tee of San Jose, an organization which seeks to impact the lives of young people through the game of golf, to host a clinic featuring LPGA professionals.
Approximately 50 area youth will attend the clinic, which will be held on June 10 from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. at the San Jose Country Club. Charlotte Mayorkas and Irene Cho, both Bell Microproducts-sponsored touring pros from the LPGA, will conduct the clinic, sharing both technical golf tips and insights into how the game of golf has positively impacted their lives.
The First Tee of San Jose is a chapter of The First Tee, a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop through golf, character education and life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. The First Tee's mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.
"The First Tee of San Jose is thrilled for our junior golfers -- 40 percent of whom are girls -- that there is an event of this caliber being held locally here in San Jose," noted George Maxe, executive director of The First Tee of San Jose. "To have some of the successful women stars of the LPGA tour here on our home turf conducting a clinic with our young players is extremely exciting."
"I grew up attending junior golf clinics like the Bell Microproducts/First Tee Clinic. To this day, I still love junior clinics but now I'm the instructor rather than the student," commented Mayorkas. "I enjoy helping youngsters hit a golf shot and seeing the pure delight in their eyes as the ball flies up in the air and lands on the green. Organizations like The First Tee and events like Bell Microproducts help build confidence and self-esteem for kids!"
Bell Microproducts is the title sponsor of the upcoming Bell Micro LPGA Classic. This LPGA event will be played September 8 - 14, 2008 and feature a full field of players. The inaugural Bell Micro LPGA Classic will be played on the Crossings Course at the Magnolia Grove location on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Mobile, Alabama. The tournament, which will also be played in 2009 and 2010, is scheduled to be televised nationally and internationally.
"Bell Microproducts recognizes the importance of giving back to the community, and we are happy for the opportunity to do so along with first class organizations such as the LPGA and The First Tee," noted Joe Cousins, vice president of marketing for Bell Microproducts. "These organizations mirror our core values of diversity, leadership, passion and giving. This clinic is the first of a string of events that we plan to host as we ramp up for the inaugural Bell Micro LPGA Classic in September."
About the Bell Micro LPGA Classic
The Bell Micro LPGA Classic is a multimillion dollar event showcasing a full field of professional LPGA golfers. The inaugural tournament will be held September 8 - 14 on the Crossings Course at the Magnolia Grove location on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The event is sponsored by Bell Microproducts and will be one of two LPGA tournaments played on the RTJ Golf Trail this year. Jim Johnson will be tournament director for the Bell Micro LPGA Classic. More information on the tournament can be found at www.bellmicrolpgaclassic.com.
About Bell Microproducts Inc.
Bell Microproducts (Pink Sheets:BELM) is an international, value-added distributor of a wide range of high-tech products, solutions and services, including storage systems, servers, software, computer components and peripherals, as well as maintenance and professional services. An industry-recognized specialist in storage products, the company is one of the world's largest storage-centric value-added distributors.
Bell Microproducts is uniquely qualified with deep technical and application expertise to service a broad range of information technology needs. From design to deployment, its products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully-integrated, tested and certified system solutions. More information can be found in the company's SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site at www.bellmicro.com.