ATLANTA – Nov. 4, 2004 – Phil Mickelson and his partners, Ford and BearingPoint, capped their season-long birdies for the Brave program by presenting a check in excess of $105,600 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation last Tuesday.

The Tampa-based organization (www.specialops.com) provides college scholarship grants, not loans, for the children of U.S. Special Operations personnel killed in combat or training. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation currently has 90 students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country.

The team contributed $100 for each birdie and $500 for each eagle Mickelson made on the PGA Tour this year. Heading into The Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, Mickelson has made six eagles and is ranked second in birdie average with 322 birdies in 1,350 holes. That means the team has paid off on one of every four holes played by Mickelson in 21 events to date.

"Amy and I wanted to do something to support the efforts of our troops and the families that have been left behind," said Mickelson. "We were excited when Ford and BearingPoint volunteered to join us in this program and it’s gratifying to know we helped raise awareness of the program around the country, which was another one of our goals. We’re all happy to have helped in some small way."

"We’re proud of all that Phil accomplished this year," said Ford Division President Steve Lyons. "And we’re especially proud to help Phil and Amy make attending college possible for these young people – whose families already have sacrificed so much for their country."

"BearingPoint is honored to be affiliated with such a world-class individual and sportsman as Phil Mickelson and to join Phil and Amy in supporting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation," said Linda Rebrovick, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BearingPoint. "We hope this donation expresses our gratitude for the heroism of our Special Operations soldiers."

Mickelson’s Birdies for the Brave program prompted Dave Farrell, bass player for the band Linkin Park, to make a contribution following a show in Tampa. The Warrior Foundation also has seen a spike in charity golf events, bringing this year’s total amount raised for the foundation to more than $400,000.

"The Birdies for the Brave program in support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation will help make dreams come true for some very special children who have had to suffer through what no child should have to face -- the loss of a parent," said John Carney, president and CEO of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. "On behalf of the more than 530 children in our program, we are grateful for their support."