“It is always great to see the guys with local ties come back and compete,” said Tournament Director Jeff Kleiber. “They always come out with family and friends in tow, and it makes for a special three days.”

Former Wake Forest standout and Raleigh native Hoch will be making his fourth appearance in the tournament. He earned a T10 finish at Prestonwood last year. Hoch owns 11 career PGA TOUR victories and finished in the top-40 on the Official Money List every year from 1982 through 2002, except for 1992 when he suffered from a shoulder injury. He is a two-time Ryder Cup Team member (1997, 2002) and Wake Forest All-American (1977, 1978). 

Fayetteville, NC native Beck will also be returning for the fourth time. Known for his contagious enthusiasm and positive attitude, Beck is remembered for a scoring a 59 at the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational and making the first-ever ace on a par-4 in a Nationwide Tour event in 2003. He is a three-time Ryder Cup participant, compiling a 6-2-1 record.  

Strange was a three-time All-American at Wake Forest and now resides in Morehead City, NC. He was arguably the best golfer in the 1980s, capturing 16 titles and becoming the first player to surpass $1 million in a season. Strange became the first person since Ben Hogan (1950-51) to win back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1988 and 1989. He captained the 2002 U.S. Ryder Cup team at The Belfry in England, and competed five times throughout his career, most recently in 1995, totaling a 6-12-2 record.

Floyd, a Fort Bragg native, is one of the most competitive golfers the game has seen. He has hoisted championship trophies spanning four decades, including 22 PGA TOUR wins, 13 Champions Tour titles and four major championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Roxboro native Jim Thorpe will also be on hand. Thorpe is a 13-time Champions Tour winner and finished fifth at the SAS Championship in 2008.

Goodes, a Browns Summit resident and UNC Chapel Hill alum, is one of the biggest surprises on the Champions Tour. He competed in 2008 as a non-exempt player, and was often required to earn a spot in tournaments through early-week qualifying. However, he finished the year 29th on the Official Money List and became fully exempt for all 2009 events. He broke through during his first start of the year at the Allianz Championship, winning his first career professional tournament.

Other golfers with North Carolina ties that are in the SAS Championship field include: David Eger (UNC Chapel Hill), Bruce Fleisher (lived in Wilmington), Gary Hallberg (Wake Forest University), Morris Hatalsky (lives part-time in Cashiers), Gene Jones (born in High Point), Jay Sigel (Wake Forest) and Leonard Thompson (Wake Forest University).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.saschampionship.com (no fees attached!) or by calling (919) 531-GOLF (4653).  Limited quantities of the SAS Championship Ultimate Golf Package, including two weekly tickets and 18 discounted golf vouchers, are available for $99.  Eagles’ Nest 17th Green Skybox tickets are available for $79 per ticket.  Eagles’ Nest tickets include admission to the 17th green skybox, buffet and open bar.

The SAS Championship and Triangle area have become one of the most popular stops on the Champions Tour, annually drawing elite fields and tremendous community support. Visit www.saschampionship.com for more information.