Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn

CONOVER, NC - The Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Presented by Kia Motors, a PGA TOUR's Champions Tour event at Rock Barn Golf & Spa September 10-16, 2007, announced that Alan Bohler has joined four returning volunteer vice chairmen in the 2007 tournament's key operating group as vice chairman of the Marshal Committees on Holes 10-18. 

Bohler, a Newton resident, has been a volunteer since the tournament's inception in 2003 and served as chairman of Hole 14 since 2004. In his new position as vice chairman, Bohler will be responsible for the back nine Marshal Committees, which ensure fair play among all participants as well as safety for spectators.

Four vice chairmen - Richard Brantley, Ronnie Hampton, Naomi Smith and Roger Taylor - have returned for 2007 to oversee the organization and execution of their committees' responsibilities to the tournament. Bohler replaces four-time vice chairman Richard Krapfel, who stepped down due to professional obligations.  Krapfel will continue to help organize the tournament's Greater Hickory High School Classic Monday of tournament week.

2007 Volunteer Vice Chairmen:
??? Alan Bohler, Vice Chairman, Marshal Committees 
Holes 10-18
??? Richard Brantley, Vice Chairman, Marshal Committees
Holes 1-9
??? Ronnie Hampton, Vice Chairman, Player Services Committees
Finance, Player Registration, Transportation
??? Naomi Smith, Vice Chairman, Support Committees
Admissions/Will Call, Hospitality, Media Center, Office Administration, Pro-Am, Television, Uniforms, Volunteer Services/Pool
??? Roger Taylor, Vice Chairman, On-Course Committees 
Announcers, Caddy Support, Carts & Shuttles, Distribution, Driving Range, Laser Operators, Scoring Tents & Runners, Standard Bearers, Walking Scorers

"The tournament provides numerous contributions to our area year after year, and it gives me a sense of pride and joy to be selected as part of this accomplished team," said Bohler. "I look forward to the challenge of helping make the tournament one of the best stops on the Champions Tour."

"Alan has been a member of our tournament family since the beginning, and we are honored to welcome him to his new position," said Executive Director Jim Correll.  "Although we are saddened to lose Richard in the role of vice chairman, we know Alan will be a tremendous asset to the Marshal Committees.  We anticipate another successful tournament and look forward to working alongside our extremely dedicated vice chairmen to help make that happen."

About the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Presented by Kia Motors
The Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Presented by Kia Motors features a week's worth of special events and attractions including exhibitions, pro-ams and three days of Champions Tour competition among some of golf's greatest legends.  The tournament returns to Rock Barn Golf & Spa in Conover September 10-16, 2007.  Operated by a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, the tournament annually donates all net proceeds to charities throughout the Catawba Valley area.  Tournament partners include Anheuser-Busch, BB&T, Bank of America, Charter Communications, CommScope, Corning Cable Systems, Draka-Comteq, Duke Energy, GDS, Greater Hickory Metro, Hickory Daily Record, Hickory Furniture Mart, Hickory Printing Group, IFH, Kia Motors America, NorthStar Financial Group, Pepsi, EMBARQ, Wachovia and Zenith Global Logistics Solutions.  For more information, call (828) 459-4000, visit www.greaterhickoryclassic.com or stop by the tournament office at Rock Barn Golf & Spa.

About Rock Barn Golf & Spa
Located in Conover, North Carolina, Rock Barn Golf & Spa is consistently recognized as one of the best semi-private golf membership clubs in the region.  The facility features two championship-caliber 18-hole golf courses, including the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course that was named the best new course in North Carolina by North Carolina Magazine and rated America's fourth best upscale public course by Golf Digest.  Rock Barn Golf & Spa also offers a state-of-the-art luxury spa; a professional tennis center; an equestrian center; dining and event facilities; and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.  Rock Barn Realty, LLC, actively develops custom home and townhouse real estate within its gated community.  For more information, call (828) 459-1125 or visit www.rockbarn.com.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America - the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea - offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.kiamedia.com.