The Golf Outing was another demonstration of "people at their best." As the recent 2002 U.S. Open, played at a public golf course on Long Island, demonstrated, golf is no longer an exclusive sport. It is a great relationship builder for men and women in business and can be a wonderful way for companies and businesspeople to give back to their communities. I am happy to report that this year's event raised more money than last year for both the National Adoption Center and the Children's Miracle Network.

I want to thank everyone who participated on and off the course. Just as with our restaurants and hotels, it takes a lot of work "behind the scenes" to produce a successful golf event. A special thanks to the many Briad staff members who volunteered considerable time to help plan and facilitate the day, in particular our Human Resources team of Jenny Basis and Holly Schulze. Somehow, both Holly and Jenny managed to keep cool through the hot August days and stay calm as September 12 approached.

We are especially grateful this year for the outpouring of support from so many of The Briad Group's business partners and vendors (see "Thank You" box). The companies that supply goods and services so that Briad restaurants and hotels can provide quality products and outstanding facilities for customers and employees really "stepped up to the tee" this year. ProCon Construction and Sweetwater Construction came on board early as major sponsors with significant donations. Their contributions laid the foundation and the generous participation of many other business partners and vendors helped raise our record-breaking contribution of $60,000.

Through your consistent focus on taking care of customers and one another, you, Briad's employees, are vital to our company's success. That success supports our families and ourselves, and enables Briad to be a responsible

corporate citizen. Our contributions to the Children's Miracle Network and National Adoption Center go directly to help children, the living embodiment of our unquenchable belief in the future. These last few months of 2002 will continue to be demanding and challenging for our business. And we will continue to rise to the challenges and meet the demands. Hard work, high standards, commitment to service, and compassion are values that apply to business and the public sector and equally to our personal lives. The Briad Group is "on course" for continued growth.