(Tampa, FL) – The PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour has selected The Corner Table, Inc., of Newton, NC, a beneficiary of the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Presented by Kia Motors of Conover, NC, as its 2006 Charity of the Year. The announcement was made today by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem and Champions Tour President Rick George at the Champions Tour’s annual Player Awards Dinner held in conjunction with this week’s Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.
Also announced at the Dinner were the previously-announced 2006 Champions Tour player award winners; Jay Haas (Player of the Year/Jack Nicklaus Trophy, Arnold Palmer Award, Charles Schwab Cup), Eduardo Romero (Rookie of the Year), Tim Simpson (Comeback Player of the Year) and Loren Roberts (Byron Nelson Award). Joe MacDonald of the Turtle Bay Championship in Kahuku, HI (Oahu) was honored as 2006 Champions Tour Volunteer of the Year.
As the 2006 Champions Tour Charity of the Year, The Corner Table, Inc. will receive $30,000 from the Tour. The Corner Table, Inc. is a nonprofit soup kitchen outreach ministry provided by the people of the Newton/Conover community for the hungry in the community. The organization opened its doors in January of 2002 with the purpose of providing nutritious meals in a comfortable environment for any man, woman or child in need. Lunch is served Monday through Thursday, and a bagged meal is given to guests on Thursdays to help them through the weekend.
"The Corner Table is overwhelmed with gratitude for this tremendous honor from the Champions Tour, and we are excited about the possibilities this gift provides," said Reverend Beth Lilly, founder and former president of The Corner Table, Inc. "The Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Presented by Kia Motors has supported us very generously over the years. Receiving those donations and this gift from the Champions Tour gives our patrons hope and assurance that people care about them and wish them a better life."
"The Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Presented by Kia Motors is thrilled that The Corner Table, Inc. was chosen as the Champions Tour 2006 Charity of the Year," said Executive Tournament Director Jim Correll. "Over the past four years, the tournament has donated more than $400,000 to several area charities. This honor underscores the tournament’s and the Champions Tour’s dedication to the Greater Hickory community and highlights the vital role organizations like The Corner Table, Inc. play in all communities."
"It’s a privilege to recognize The Corner Table as the Champions Tour’s 2006 Charity of the Year," said George. "They are a great example of how someone like Beth Lilly (the founder) recognized a need and did something about it without the benefit of any government or agency funding. They operate solely on donations. We couldn’t be happier than to present them with this check for $30,000, which will help improve the facility to support this outreach ministry for the Newton / Conover community."
The Charity of the Year nomination and selection process was conducted jointly by the Champions Tour and the Champions Tour Tournament Association (CTTA).
The 2007 Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Presented by Kia Motors will be played September 10-16 at Rock Barn Golf & Spa in Conover, NC. Andy Bean is defending champion.
Other finalists for the Charity of the Year were United Hospital Foundation (3M Championship, Blaine, MN), Emerson Hospital (Bank of America Championship, Concord, MA), Summit Foundation of Shelby County (Regions Charity Classic, Birmingham, AL) and Friends of Hawaii Charities (Turtle Bay Championship, Kahuku, HI).
Champions Tour events generate significant sums of money for charity. Last year, Champions Tour tournaments combined to generate more than $9.6 million for charities in the communities they visited.
Contact:
Michael McPhillips
Director, Communications
Champions Tour
Tel: 904-273-3470
Email: mmcphillips@pgatourhq.com
Amy McCauley/Beth Hardy
Tel: 704-489-8828
Mobile:828-244-2429
Email: amccauley.ghc@charterinternet.com