SAS Championship - Cary, Raleigh, Durham, NC - Champions Tour Golf - September 20-26, 2010 - Home

SAS Championship Announces Top 10 Moments in Tournament History

2010-07-28T19:48:00Z

Tournament receives commitments from seven past champions

CARY, N.C. – In honor of the 10th anniversary of the SAS Championship presented by Bloomberg Businessweek, tournament officials have announced the top 10 moments in SAS Championship history. Officials also have secured commitments from seven of tournament’s past champions –D.A. Weibring (2003), Craig Stadler (2004), Hale Irwin (2005), Tom Jenkins (2006), Mark Wiebe (2007), Eduardo Romero (2008) and Tom Pernice, Jr. (2009).

The top 10 moments in SAS Championship history, listed chronologically, are:

•    SAS signs contract to bring Senior PGA Tour event to Prestonwood Country Club (2001)
•    10th Tee Ceremonies to start 2001 SAS Championship 10 days after terrorist attacks on 9/11 (2001)
•    Lietzke wins first two SAS Championships (2002)
•    The King, Arnold Palmer, plays in 2003 SAS Championship (2003)
•    Weibring’s eagle-birdie finish edges Kite’s course-record 61 for 2003 title (2003)
•    Communities In Schools of Wake County named 2003 Champions Tour Charity of the Year (2004)
•    Stadler dominates and wins by six for 2004 title (2004)
•    Irwin’s dream becomes reality as he wins his 44th Champions Tour title (2005)
•    Wiebe turns last-minute sponsor exemption into Champions Tour debut victory (2007)
•    Pernice, Jr. drains 35-foot birdie putt at 18th green to edge Frost and Price by one stroke (2009)

“We are excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the SAS Championship with previous champions whose play has given fans incredible memories over the past nine years,” said tournament director Jeff Kleiber. “Those memories, and the continued support from the community, inspired us to determine the top 10 moments in SAS Championship history. We are asking the fans to help us rank the top 10 moments in tournament history by voting for their favorite moments on the tournament website, www.SASChampionship.com.”

Fan voting will help determine the ranking of the top 10 moments in tournament history. Fans can visit the tournament website, www.SASChampionship.com, through Friday, Aug. 13 to vote on their top three moments in tournament history. The results of the fan voting, along with the votes of a blue-ribbon panel featuring local sports media members, will determine the rankings.

Each fan who votes will have the opportunity to sign up to be entered into a raffle to win an honorary observer spot during the SAS Championship. Honorary observers will be able to go “inside the ropes” and accompany one of the playing groups during a round at the SAS Championship.

Beginning, Monday Aug. 23, tournament officials will unveil two of the top 10 moments each week on the tournament’s website. The top two moments in SAS Championship history will be unveiled at the start of tournament week, Monday, Sept. 20.

The tournament’s seven returning champions hold 73 career Champions Tour victories between them, including 45 victories from 2005 champion and World Golf Hall of Famer Hale Irwin. Tom Pernice, Jr., who competes on the Champions Tour and PGA TOUR, is the tournament’s defending champion.

Bruce Lietzke, who is the tournament’s only two-time champion (2001 & 2002), will not compete in the SAS Championship this year. He is being honored at a charitable golf event in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas during the SAS Championship tournament week.

A Champions Tour golf event, the SAS Championship presented by Bloomberg Businessweek is being held at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, September 20 – 26. Tickets to the tournament can be purchased online at www.saschampionship.com or by calling (919) 531-GOLF (4653). 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.

For more information on the SAS Championship and to vote for the top three moments in tournament history, visit www.saschampionship.com.

Call Issued for Volunteers

2010-06-15T12:41:00Z

Tournament officials for the 2010 SAS Championship presented by Bloomberg Businessweek are once again calling on Triangle residents to support their community by volunteering. A Champions Tour golf event in its 10th year, the SAS Championship is being held at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, September 20 – 26. Golf knowledge is not required to volunteer and families and friends are encouraged to participate.

“The SAS Championship is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and volunteers have played an integral role in the success of the tournament since its beginning,” said Tournament Director Jeff Kleiber. “Volunteers at the SAS Championship get a behind-the-scenes look at a professional golf tournament while interacting with golf’s legends, patrons and friends. Anyone, no matter age or golf knowledge, can play an important part in the success of the 10th anniversary of the SAS Championship.”

The SAS Championship is in need of over 600 volunteers across the Triangle area to donate their time and energy to ensure a successful event. Volunteering can be a great way to have fun, meet people and watch the legends of golf in and out of competition. There are a number of different committees that have unique responsibilities, including: Golf Channel support, walking scorers, standard bearers and hole marshals. Training will be provided for committees requiring specific knowledge.

The volunteer fee is $40 before August 1, (after August 1 the volunteer fee will go to $50), and includes a Nike golf shirt, headwear, volunteer badge valid for week-long tournament access, two weekly grounds badges for guests of the volunteer’s choice, two invitations to the annual volunteer appreciation party and meals and beverages during assigned shifts. All volunteers that work three or more shifts will receive a free golf voucher good for one round at Prestonwood Country Club. Volunteers can register at www.saschampionship.com/volunteers.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (919) 531-GOLF (4653). 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. Tom Pernice, Jr., is the tournament’s defending champion.

Champions Tour Top-5 Leaderboard

2010-06-11T21:44:00Z

Pernice, Jr. Captures SAS Championship Title in Thrilling Fashion

2009-09-27T22:39:00Z

“I had heard good things about the SAS Championship. I hit lots of quality iron shots this week,” said Pernice.

Pernice entered the final round with a one stroke lead on the competition and managed to hold off a horde of challengers with a final round 3-under 69. Playing in the final group, he approached the 18th hole in a three-way tie with Price and Frost, both already in the clubhouse. Huge galleries crammed the bleachers and lined the edge of the green as they awaited the conclusion to the tournament. They were not disappointed as Pernice gave a big fist pump to the crowd after his long birdie putt rolled around the edge of the cup and dropped home.

During a trophy ceremony on the 18th green, Pernice thanked all the sponsors, volunteers and especially the fans that were supportive all week. The final round was graced with sunny skies after several days of intermittent rain. Fans turned out in droves to enjoy the beautiful day and exciting competition.

“Proud of myself today. I really wasn’t aware of what the other guys were doing. Thought I had to get to 13-under. I knew where I stood on 18. You don’t expect to make 35-footers. I guess it was my time to win,” said Pernice.

Pernice becomes the 15th Champions Tour player to win in his debut and the third this year. He earned $315,000 for his efforts and 315 Charles Schwab Cup points.

Price was hopeful for his second career Champions Tour victory following a decorated playing career on the PGA TOUR in which he won 18 tournaments. He was four-under on the day including a strong stretch run with birdies on holes 14, 16 and 17.

Frost, competing in only his second Champions Tour event after turning 50 on September 11, turned a T2 performance one week after finishing T9 in his debut in Hickory. He was five-under on Sunday and made clutch putts down the stretch for birdie on 15, 16 and 17 but could not reach the magic number of 13-under.

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.