DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- DFW International Airport, EDS and the Salesmanship Club of Dallas are joining together for one final push to raise money for charity. EDS, title sponsor of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, is offering an online auction that features two, one-of- a-kind designed items, a motorcycle and a pinball machine, to benefit Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, the children's charity associated with the tournament. The online auction, which opened on April 25, will close at 7 p.m. CDT tonight. Bids are accepted at eds.com/auction.
Golf and motorcycle enthusiasts can bid on a custom-designed EDS Byron Nelson Championship-themed motorcycle, built by the world-famous Orange County Choppers (OCC) of the international hit television show, "American Chopper." For the first time in OCC history, three identical choppers were built at the same time and will be featured on two television episodes featuring the EDS Byron Nelson Championship chopper, to be aired in late July on Discovery's The Learning Channel (TLC).
One of the three identical choppers created for the EDS Byron Nelson Championship will be on display at DFW International Airport. Summer travelers will be able to get an exclusive look at the chopper, beginning at the end of May in the airport's new international terminal, Terminal D. This is the only location where the public can view the one-of-a-kind chopper until the episodes air on July 26 and August 2, 2007. The display will include exclusive video coverage featuring behind the scenes footage as well as the charity the chopper benefits.
"The EDS Byron Nelson Championship choppers are incredible bikes that benefit a wonderful charity. One is now owned by the 2007 tournament winner and Dallas native, Scott Verplank, another will go to a lucky bidder tonight and we couldn't think of a better place than DFW Airport to show the third bike to the world," said Ron Rittenmeyer, president and chief operating officer of EDS.
"DFW is delighted to bring our passengers this international phenomenon in our international terminal while also honoring the memory of our local hero, Byron Nelson," said Jeff Fegan CEO of DFW International Airport. "Millions of travelers and fans will now be able to get an up-close-and-personal look at the motorcycle they admire and our international terminal will have an added attraction over the busy summer travel season."
In addition to the motorcycle auction, the charity auction includes a customized Ultimate Golf Ball Frenzy pinball machine, which has an OCC theme and will be autographed by the Teutuls, the stars of "American Chopper" and PGA TOUR players participating in the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
EDS will donate all proceeds from the online auctions to Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a Dallas-based charity focused on impacting the lives and futures of children and families in need.
"We're humbled by the work of EDS and Orange County Choppers to create such a unique item to benefit our charity. And now, thanks to DFW Airport, thousands of people from around the world will get a glimpse of the life- changing work we are able to do because of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship," said Kent Skipper, Ph.D., executive director of the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers.
To bid on the items, visit http://www.eds.com/auction .
About DFW International Airport
Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and serving 60 million passengers a year. Named as 2007's "Best Airport for Customer Service in the Americas" by an Airports Council International survey of passengers, DFW International Airport provides non- stop service to 133 domestic and 36 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com/ .
About EDS
EDS is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 40 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world. Learn more at http://www.eds.com/ .
About the EDS Byron Nelson Championship
The EDS Byron Nelson Championship, a premier PGA TOUR event, has raised more money for charity than any other stop on the PGA TOUR. Byron Nelson's work for the kids continues through the Championship's main charity beneficiary, Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families in the Dallas area. For more information on the charity, visit http://www.salesmanshipclub.org/
About Orange County Choppers
Orange County Choppers has gained international recognition from the popular Discovery Channel TV show "American Chopper." Based in Montgomery, N.Y., the shop custom builds motorcycles for well-known clients and corporations from around the world. Paul Teutul, Sr. opened the shop with his son Paul, Jr. to fuel his passion for motorcycles after successfully growing Orange County Ironworks into a thriving business. For more information, visit the website at http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/ .
