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PGA Tour Player Gets Opportunity of a Lifetime to Fly with Thunderbirds

Nellis Air Force Base announced that PGA TOUR player Frank Lickliter II was selected to fly with the Thunderbirds on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008, departing from base at 10 a.m. Lickliter was chosen as goodwill ambassador for the Air Force during this flight due to his passionate support of the military, continuing to boost morale while helping to generate enhanced awareness for the needs of airman in Las Vegas and around the world. In addition to flying with the Thunderbirds, he joins a talented group of his peers playing in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Oct. 13-19.

A journeyman TOUR player and extraordinary military ambassador for the TOUR, Lickliter has donated considerable time during the past five years visiting troops in Kuwait. Two years ago, Lickliter gave up the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with his family to initiate a trip to Iraq, where he and five other TOUR players spent the holiday with the troops.

As spokesperson for the Wounded Warrior Project, Lickliter was featured in the September issue of US Airways’ in flight magazine for his support of military men and women and their families. He continues to help boost the morale of wounded soldiers at Walter Reed and provides exposure to the game of golf by giving clinics at local military bases as well as hosting members of all five branches of the military at various PGA TOUR events throughout the year.

Over the years, Lickliter has participated in many fundraising events benefiting the military as part of the TOUR’s Birdies for the Brave outreach program. Birdies for the Brave is the PGA TOUR’s primary vehicle for supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Since 2005, the TOUR has joined with PGA TOUR players and corporate partners to raise millions of dollars for military home front groups that directly serve military men and women lost or seriously injured in performance of their duty. To learn more about Birdies for the Brave please visit www.PGATOUR.com/birdiesforthebrave.

The Thunderbirds are currently touring in their 55th year as the Air Force’s premier jet demonstration team. The 130-person squadron represents the more than 500k Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen serving at home and abroad. The Thunderbirds deliver the Air Force story at air shows around the country and the world each weekend from March through November.

About the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open:

The 2008 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open kicks off a five-year commitment between the two parties to continue the tradition of a PGA TOUR event in Las Vegas. The collaboration between Shriners Hospitals and Timberlake to act as Title Sponsor and Host (respectively) promises to create a truly unique and world-class event for players and fans alike. A host of well-known golfers and celebrities will participate in the competition to help support the Shriners Hospitals’ mission, while enjoying the signature flair that Las Vegas has to offer. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Join the fun Oct. 13 – 19 at TPC Summerlin where both the serious and casual golf fan will applaud as some of the best players in golf combined with Las Vegas-style entertainment are showcased. The viewing is unsurpassed at THE HILL, a 22,000-square-foot luxury entertainment pavilion overlooking the 16th, 17th and 18th holes, granting stunning views of the course, Las Vegas skyline and Red Rock Canyon.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN:

1680 Village Center Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89134, 702-873-1010, www.jtshrinersopen.com.