Billy Andrade, a member of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour since 1987, will wear a Southern Company logo on his cap and shirt sleeve during all tour events and related appearances. In addition, Andrade will be available for special appearances such as golf outings with Southern Company customers.

Andrade finished No. 31 on the PGA Tour money earnings in 1997. His career record includes wins at the Kemper Open and Buick Classic.

"I`m extremely pleased to be associated with one of the finest corporations in the U.S.," Andrade said. "I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Southern Company."

"This is a terrific opportunity for us to increase our visibility among our customers," said Southern Company CEO Bill Dahlberg. "Not only will Billy`s talent, image and personal character serve to enhance the company`s reputation and visibility, we feel that his status as a service-territory resident will make him an even more valuable part of our systemwide marketing, promotion and customer relations efforts."

Andrade, 33, a native of Bristol, R.I., currently lives in Southern Company`s service territory. He is married with two children.

Andrade was named to the Junior World Cup Team in 1981 as the nation`s top-ranked junior player. He is a three-time All-American at Wake Forest and helped Wake Forest to the NCAA championship in 1986.

In 1992, Andrade and fellow PGA Tour member Brad Faxon established the Billy Andrade/Brad Faxon Charity for Children Inc., a nonprofit foundation that last year raised more than $1 million for a children`s` charitable organizations.