With the biggest golf event in West Virginia history coming next July, fans can assure themselves of upgraded spectator access at The Greenbrier Classic while benefiting a worthwhile cause.

The purchase of a weekly badge for the PGA Tour event will directly impact the lives of young people aided by The First Tee of West Virginia program.

A badge makes a great gift, too, according to Rebecca Albin, executive director of The First Tee of West Virginia program. And a weekly badge is currently the only way to guarantee admission to the tournament.

“It’s a perfect last-minute Christmas gift for any avid golf fan,” Albin said. “A weekly badge would make a great stocking stuffer. It’s an amazing opportunity to see the world’s top golfers right here in our own backyard.”

The Greenbrier Classic, which will be held July 26-Aug. 1, will be played on the links-style Old White course, The Greenbrier’s first 18-hole course.

The PGA Tour announced the six-year deal with The Greenbrier Classic as a new PGA Tour event, part of the FedEx Cup Series, last August.

But the event and access will offer more than just golf.

“There will also be a large concert with a national draw that the weekly badge holders will have access to as well,” Albin said. “It will be one of the top winners from the CMA (Country Music Association) awards last month. It’s really exciting.

“With the PGA’s long history of support for The First Tee and the direct link between a PGA Tour event and The First Tee’s main vehicle for program delivery — golf — The First Tee of West Virginia is the perfect charity of choice for the Badges for Charity program,” Albin added.

To support The First Tee of West Virginia, Albin suggests going to The Greenbrier Classic Web site (www.greenbrierclassic.com). On the home page, select the Badges for Charity link. Then, select the badge level you wish to purchase and select The First Tee of West Virginia from the drop-down menu. The First Tee of West Virginia will receive 30 percent of the proceeds of all badges purchased on its behalf between now and Feb. 26. Weekly badges for the event range from $147 to $5,000 each.

The various range of donation include:

The Grounds badge ($147) provides tournament admittance for the entire week.

The Benefactor badge ($275) includes entry to select air-conditioned hospitality tents, as well as premium food and beverage options.

Alumni and fans of West Virginia University, Marshall University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia may choose an Alumni Tent badge ($495). Guests of these special alumni hospitality areas will enjoy unlimited tailgate-style food, non-alcoholic beverages, as well as guest appearances from celebrity alumni.

For an ultimate Greenbrier Classic experience, a Clubhouse badge ($5,000) provides a limited number of people with exclusive access to the event, including prime viewing areas on Old White No. 1 and No. 18, unlimited food and beverage at Sam Snead’s at the Golf Club and access to all hospitality tents. In addition, Clubhouse badge holders will also receive one complimentary two-night stay at The Greenbrier, including one round of golf on The Old White Course for two and $1,000 in special amenity vouchers.

According to its Web site, The First Tee of West Virginia is a youth development program that utilizes the game of golf to deliver life skills to its participants, specifically youth who have never had access to the game, including females, minorities and impoverished youth. During programming, participants are afforded an opportunity to learn a life-long sport while being seamlessly exposed to core values inherent to the game — courtesy, respect, honesty, judgment, perseverance, confidence, integrity, sportsmanship and responsibility.

Since its inception as The First Tee of Beckley in December 2005, The First Tee of West Virginia has impacted the lives of more than 6,000 youth in Beckley and surrounding communities through both summer programming and school partnerships.

The First Tee of West Virginia recently received approval to begin program delivery as a statewide chapter. New expansion locations for spring 2010 include Charleston and the Eastern Panhandle.

“The mission of The First Tee of West Virginia is to impact the lives of young people throughout the state by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf and other enduring character-building activities,” Albin added.