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Kym R. Hougham Named Tournament Director for the Wachovia Championship
Respected director to oversee new event with $5.6 million purse
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Wachovia Championship has named Kym R.
Hougham (Huffum) Tournament Director of the Wachovia Championship? a four-year PGA TOUR event held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte
beginning May 5-11, 2003.
In this role, Hougham will manage operations, marketing, and sales for the tournament. Hougham will report to Champions for Education, Inc., the Wachovia Championship Board of Directors formed to raise funds for education and oversee the event
"We are excited Kym has agreed to take a leadership role in this world-class golf tournament," said Ken Thompson, CEO and president of Wachovia Corp., and board member of Champions for Education, Inc. "Since we announced the event just a few weeks ago, the positive response from customers, employees and the community has been tremendous.
Naming Kym to this critical role is an important next step in our ongoing efforts."
Hougham joins the Wachovia Championship after six years as
Tournament Director of the John Deere Classic, an event that generated
nearly $1.5 million in charitable donations in 2001. Hougham was
instrumental in securing the Deere & Company nine-year title
sponsorship, and oversaw the three-year construction of the TPC at Deere
Run facility.
He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration. Hougham lettered in golf all
four years and was captain of the 1975-76 golf team. He is an Iowa native,
and currently lives in Walcott, Iowa, with his wife Jacqueline and son
Kyle. Hougham is a member of numerous civic and professional
organizations, including serving as current director of the PGA TOUR
Tournaments Association (PGATTA), (1997 ? present); and past chairman of
the Volunteer State Golf Tournament for the American Cancer Society.
"Kym is an experienced and dynamic tournament director who will
provide excellent leadership to the Wachovia Championship," according
to PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.
"Over the last several years, Kym worked very effectively to help
raise the level of the John Deere Classic event. He has excellent
relationships with the TOUR and our players, and understands how to meet
the needs of tournament sponsors, charities and volunteers. He is a great
choice as the Wachovia Championship begins its exciting build-up to its
first event next May."
"As a veteran director, Kym?s strong operations background
guarantees the Wachovia Championship will provide a top-notch
experience for players, guests and the community," said Johnny
Harris, president of Quail Hollow Club. "This opportunity is a
perfect next step for Kym. Quail Hollow, Charlotte and the Wachovia
Championship are fortunate to have him in this role."
The Wachovia Championship,a new official PGA TOUR event, will
debut in Charlotte, N.C. in 2003. Wachovia Corporation, the fourth-largest
financial services company in the United States, will be the title sponsor
of the four-year event, beginning May 5-11, 2003, at Quail Hollow Club.
The $5.6 million purse for the tournament is one of the highest on the
TOUR, and guarantees the winner more than $1 million. The prize money,
renowned golf course and facility, and early May time slot are expected to
draw many of the stars on the PGA TOUR to the event. The nationally known
educational foundation Teach For America is the primary charitable
recipient of proceeds from the 2003 tournament.
About Wachovia
Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB), created through the Sept. 1, 2001,
merger of First Union and Wachovia, had assets of $320 billion and
stockholder's equity of $29 billion at March 31, 2002. Wachovia is a
leading provider of financial services to 20 million 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 49 states and global services
through more than 30 international offices. Online banking and brokerage
products and services are available through wachovia.com and firstunion.com.