Mark Your Calendars
22 Jul 2007
American Chopper EDS Byron Nelson Championship Series Begins July 26
International Broadcast Dates
The Discovery Channel's “American Chopper” episodes featuring the design and build process of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship custom choppers will be aired globally as follows:
- France – 12/29/07 and 1/5/08
- ME ATI (Middle East?) – 9/28/07 and 10/5/07
- CEE (Central Europe/Russia) – 9/15/07 and 9/22/07
- Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxemburg) – 1/5/08 and 1/12/08
- S&P (Spain & Portugal) – 1/3/08 and 1/10/08
- Italy – 12/14/07 and 12/21/07
- Nordic (Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland & Sweden) – 12/1/07 and “beginning of 2008“
- Asia/Pac Rim – 11/22/07 and 11/29/07
- Japan – 11/5/07 and 11/12/07
Clear your calendar and get your popcorn ready. On July 26, TLC begins airing the much anticipated American Chopper EDS Byron Nelson Championship Series, featuring three custom choppers built by the world-renowned Orange County Choppers (OCC) to raise awareness and money for Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers (SCYFC), the children's charity associated with the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
“We are grateful to EDS and Orange County Choppers for their work on this project, which has raised a significant amount of money for our charity,” said Mac Wesson, Salesmanship Club of Dallas president. “We're incredibly fortunate to have a title sponsor who is so dedicated to charity and improving the lives of others.”
The U.S. broadcast of The Learning Channel's (TLC) “American Chopper” episodes featuring the design and build process of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship custom choppers will air Thursday, July 26, and Thursday, Aug. 2, at 8 p.m. Central time.
EDS Auctions Raise More Than $100,000 for Charity
The online auctions of the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship custom chopper (You will need RealPlayer to view this video), built by Orange County Choppers, and a one-of-a-kind OCC-themed pinball machine raised more than $85,000 for Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers (SCYFC).
Combined eBay and private auctions of additional pinball machines brought the total donation to $117,000 for SCYFC.
“These were wonderful projects for EDS to be involved in,” said Ron Rittenmeyer, EDS president and chief executive officer. “Our collaboration with Orange County Choppers helped raise awareness of the charity and the tournament, and we're very pleased to present a check in excess of $100,000 to the Salesmanship Club to help ensure Byron's work for the kids continues.”
Behind the Building of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship Chopper
OCC built three bikes for EDS (You will need RealPlayer to view this video). One bike was presented to Scott Verplank, the winner of the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship. Another bike was auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers. The third chopper was retained by EDS to raise awareness of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship and the charity it supports.
The Research Visit to Learn about Byron Nelson and EDS
Before there was a custom-designed bike, there had to be inspiration. In late January 2007, Paul Teutul Sr., Paul Teutul Jr. and Mikey Teutul, the creative forces behind Orange County Choppers, made the journey – with film crew in tow – from New York to North Texas to visit EDS, Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers and the J. Erik Jonsson Community School to learn everything they could before turning inspiration into design.
EDS Byron Nelson Championship Pinball
The EDS Byron Nelson Championship wouldn't be the same without the mischievous squirrels complete with an edgier image in an all-new, life-sized and online pinball game – Ultimate Golf Ball Frenzy. EDS designed, built and delivered one of the custom-made “Ultimate Golf Ball Frenzy” pinball machines (You will need RealPlayer to view this video) to the Teutuls and auctioned two others to raise money for Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers.
Web Consulting with EDS
Orange County Choppers is known around the world for innovative chopper designs and superior craftsmanship – but not necessarily for Web design and site usability. As part of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship Chopper series, Web experts from the EDS Online team evaluated the overall Internet presence for OCC and made recommendations on ways to improve their online presence.
Design...Build...Unveil the EDS Byron Nelson Championship Chopper
EDS and Orange County Choppers unveiled the three EDS Byron Nelson Championship-themed motorcycles at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, the home of the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
“We asked the Teutuls to design a motorcycle that would generate attention for the tournament and honor the legacy of Byron Nelson,” said Ron Rittenmeyer, president and chief operating officer of EDS. “We were thrilled with the end-product.”