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Wachovia Championship Promises Uncommon Experience for Players, Caddies and Fans
New PGA TOUR to distinguish itself from other tournaments
CHARLOTTE N.C., April 29, 2003 - With the Wachovia Championship less than two weeks away, tournament organizers are working hard to make sure the Wachovia Championship becomes one of the premier stops on the PGA TOUR. Players caddies, spectators and volunteers alike will have amenities to help make the Wachovia Championship a memorable experience.
As soon as patrons step onto the tournament shuttle for example, ambassadors will greet them and provide information about the day's events. Videos will also be shown on each shuttle and will recap the tournament action from the previous day and give a preview of the current days' activities. Tournament patrons will arrive at the clubhouse with just a short walk to view tournament play.
When patrons arrive at the course, they will have an easy time locating their favorite players since the caddies will wear bibs with the players' names on the front and back for easy spectator identification.
With 2,200 volunteers working the Wachovia Championship, (more than 3,500 applied to volunteer) communication has been essential and made possible through use of the Internet and a password-protected site that allows volunteers to view their committee's page for assignment updates. Volunteers will also have personalized name badges for easy identification.
Even months before the tournament, players and caddies have talked about the amenities that will be offered at the Wachovia Championship. Caddies have the opportunity make housing reservations through the tournament office - a service not typically offered to caddies. Valet parking is also available at the clubhouse for the caddies when they arrive daily. While on TOUR, caddies are a player's advisor and influence some of the decisions made on the tournaments they play.
For the Wednesday Pro-Am tournament, players will be paired with only two amateurs. Typically, four amateurs are paired with one pro. Each player who participates in the Wachovia Championship will receive a personalized player handbook that will be hand delivered by the tournament director at prior PGA TOUR events. Handbooks are in the format of a "yardage book," with a leather cover than can be used by the players each week.
Another unique amenity included in the tournament will include the tournament staff presenting a welcome gift to the players' wife or significant other. Typically, a gift is given to the player.
For the media, a state-of-the-art work center will be equipped with 50% more laptops than normal allotment at comparable tournaments. DSL high-speed Internet and dedicated phone lines will be available for photographers to send and receive photos at high speeds and increased quality. Reporters will also have the ability to utilize wireless Internet technology for their computers.
Two additional features of the Wachovia Championship include spectators participating in a Mother's Day church service on the 18th green prior to tournament play on Sunday, May 11.
To strengthen the charity aspect of the event, youth representing the First Tee organization will caddie for one of the professionals on a specified hole during Wednesday's Pro-Am. The First Tee is a non-profit organization that provides affordable access to golf and strives to instill in young people life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and respect. The idea is to offer opportunities for improvement in the quality of life and create a platform where children can increase potential for success.
"This tournament will truly be a memorable event for the Charlotte USA region," Tournament Director Kym Hougham said. "We are working to ensure that everyone participating in the tournament from patrons to players will walk away with a positive experience."
About Wachovia
Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB), created through the September 1, 2001, merger of First Union and Wachovia, had assets of $348 billion and stockholders' equity of $32 billion at March 31, 2003. Wachovia is a leading provider of financial services to retail, brokerage and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation. The company operates full-service banking offices under the First Union and Wachovia names in 11 East Coast states and Washington, D.C., and offers full-service brokerage with offices in 48 of the 50 states. Global services are provided through more than 30 international offices. Online banking and brokerage products and services are available through wachovia.com.