Citizens Bank hosts kids golf tournament to benefit Button Hole

	Ryan Masi, Mark Mathieu, Michael Aiello with Walter McCarty

PROVIDENCE, RI - Citizens Bank hosted the third annual "The Citizens Bank Kids Classic for Button Hole" on Tuesday, August 3rd at Button Hole Golf Course in Providence. More than $40,000 was expected to be raised. Graduates of the Button Hole program played in the tournament with more than 100 children participating.
Proceeds will support youth programs at Button Hole Golf Course, a nine-hole instructional course that provides the area's 25,000 urban youth with a place to learn basic skills and gain an understanding of the game of golf.

"Through 'The Citizens Bank Kids Classic for Button Hole,' Citizens hopes to empower young people to realize their highest potential," said Joseph J. MarcAurele, President and CEO of Citizens Bank. "We learned from the first two tournaments that kids learn valuable life lessons about success and failure, fair play, honesty, integrity and discipline by learning to play golf. Citizens is proud to help empower young people to reach their potential through this tournament"

The all-day tournament was a scramble format with three boys and girls divisions:
6-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-17 years. Graduates of the Button Hole Junior Clinic were eligible to play. Each foursome was accompanied by an adult "mentor" who played with and provided useful golf and tournament tips to the players.

Chipping, putting, and closest to the pin contests were held throughout the day as well. Boston Celtics player Walter McCarty was on site to sign autographs and answer questions. Prizes were awarded to all tournament participants at a 5:30 p.m. awards ceremony.

"To hold a third annual event in our fourth year of operation is truly a thrill, and Button Hole is honored to have Citizens Bank partner in our mission," said Kathy O'Malley, Executive Director of Button Hole. "The Citizens Bank Kids Classic for Button Hole directly provides our mission to give kids the opportunity to become "Button Hole Kids," graduates of A Lesson In Golf…A Lesson in Life, and members of their own golf club. They are even able to play golf for one dollar! This opportunity, for many, is only possible through the commitment of everyone at Citizens Bank."

About Citizens Bank of Rhode Island
Citizens Bank of Rhode Island, with $10.2 billion in assets, offers a complete range of banking services and has the largest branch banking network in Rhode Island with 78 branches and 143 ATMs. Citizens' history in Rhode Island dates to 1828. It has more than 4,900 employees.

Citizens Bank of Rhode Island is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $78 billion commercial bank holding company. It is headquartered in Providence, R.I., and has more than 880 offices, approximately 1,650 ATMs and more than 15,500 employees in seven states. It operates as Citizens Bank in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Citizens is one of the 20 largest commercial bank holding companies in the United States. Citizens is owned by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc. The Citizens Web site is www.citizensbank.com