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Marriott Golf is getting "pushy" with golfers at some of the country's leading resort destinations. Reinforcing Marriott International's commitment to healthy living, Marriott Golf, one of the world's premier golf operators, today announced a first-of-its-kind alliance with The Bag Boy Company -- the No.1 name in golf cart innovation, to create Walk For Health, a program designed to promote the health benefits associated with walking the golf course. Starting today, the Walk For Health program will be launched at leading Marriott Golf resort destinations in the U.S., whereby each participating property will be outfitted with Bag Boy's innovative and popular three-wheel push carts, providing resort golfers with a fun and healthy way to navigate the course, as well as support environmental consciousness.

"This partnership directly supports Marriott International's unwavering commitment to promote wellness and healthy living, as the health and exercise benefits of walking and pushing your clubs around a golf course are immeasurable," said William Nault, Vice President, Marriott Golf. "We anticipate a very positive response from our resort golfers for this Walk For Health, initiative, and our intention is to roll out the program at more Marriott Golf properties throughout the year."

As part of the Walk For Health program, a fleet of Bag Boy's lightweight, eco-friendly Express Auto walking carts will be available for guest play at participating resort destinations, including: Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, Calif.; JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Ariz.; JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, Ariz.; Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, Fla.; Marriott's Grande Vista Resort, Orlando, Fla.; Grande Pines Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Naples, Fla.; Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort, Oak Brook, Ill and The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Tucson, Ariz.

Walking is a tradition of the game, and recent studies by medical experts reveal that by pushing clubs around a golf course, a golfer will burn more than 1,400 calories compared to riding in a cart where that same golfer would burn approximately 800 calories. Innovative technology and advanced features have redefined the walking cart market, as three-wheel push carts have become a trendy, fun and health conscious alternative to riding in a cart and/or carrying a bag. Thus, golfers at some of Marriott Golf's premier resorts will now have access to a fleet of user-friendly, three-wheel walking carts that are ergonomically correct and equipped with an assortment of features, enabling all golfers to seamlessly maneuver the cart on all terrains and in all weather conditions.

"Research shows that golfers who walk and push their clubs burn more calories than when they ride in a cart, and they are also less prone to lower back, shoulder, and ankle injuries than golfers who carry their clubs," said Craig Ramsbottom, President, The Bag Boy Company. "Our innovative walking carts are not like the pull carts of yesteryear, as they are ergonomically correct and easy to maneuver so golfers that visit a Marriott resort can now experience a cool, fun and healthy way to navigate the course."

Each participating property in the Walk For Health program also holds the distinction of being a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which indicates that Marriott Golf has gone to the greatest lengths possible to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats. This effort is part of a systemwide commitment by Marriott International, Inc. (MAR:NYSE) to promote environmental stewardship. The new Walk For Health program further enables golfers to support environmental consciousness while enjoying nature and a good walk on a spectacular golf course.

Nault added, "Pushing a Bag Boy walking cart around the course will enable golfers to truly appreciate the natural beauty of these venues."

About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 58 golf courses at 42 locations in 12 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world's premier golf operators. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises.   For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com. Click here for Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) company information.

About Bag Boy
Founded in 1946, Bag Boy has become one of the most respected brands in golf by building a reputation for unmatched quality, unbelievable durability and unsurpassed innovation and design. Bag Boy designs, manufactures and distributes a full line of innovative golf bags, push carts, travel covers and accessories designed for a golfer's on-course convenience and comfort. For more information about Bag Boy products, visit www.bagboy.com.

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