GREENSBORO, N.C. – Allen Gant, Jr. of Burlington, N.C. has been named the honorary chairman of the 2008 Wyndham Championship, it was announced today. Gant is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation Board which oversees operation of the Wyndham Championship.
Gant, a recognized community leader in Alamance County, is the second consecutive Honorary Chairman from outside Guilford County, emphasizing the Wyndham Championship’s increasing regional impact. Gant is serving as an ambassador for the PGA TOUR event which provides important economic benefits for the entire region and the state.
Gant is president and chief executive officer of Glen Raven, Inc., a global leader in performance fabric. The company’s leading brand is Sunbrella®, a family of performance fabrics recognized as leaders in awning, casual furniture and marine applications. The company, founded in 1880 by Gant’s grandfather, has manufacturing locations in North America, Europe and Asia. Glen Raven, Inc. remains family owned.
“Allen Gant has been a corporate leader in Burlington and throughout the Triad for many years,” Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation Board chairman Bobby Long said. “To have him as our first honorary chairman from Alamance County says a lot about the continued regionalization of the Wyndham Championship. Last year, Paul Fulton from Forsyth County did a fantastic job, and we know Allen will do the same this year. Both of these great men understand what it takes to grow regionally and compete nationally.”
“What an incredible honor to be asked to represent the Wyndham Championship as the honorary chairman,” Gant said. “Golf is without a doubt the most competitive sport in the world with more accountability than any other professional sport. Just to be associated with a major tournament in this way is quite something.
“The Wyndham Championship has the incredible opportunity to bring the entire Piedmont Triad together. This region has so much potential; if we find new ways to work together and pool our resources, there is no limit to the success that we can achieve. We are truly blessed to have Wyndham Worldwide as our title sponsor, and I hope the Triad region works hard to continue to deserve their support.”
Local advertising executive Keith Dyer will serve as the 2008 Wyndham Championship General Chairman. Dyer’s company, Necessary Marketing, Inc., is a multifaceted firm specializing in media buying, commercial production, public relations, branding strategies and marketing plans.
Dyer will lead the tournament committee, a group of volunteer leaders for the primary areas of Wyndham Championship operations. 2009 General Chairman Eric Richardson and 2007 General Chairman Jim Lanik will assist Dyer with the committee. Jim Ahrends and Ricky Straughn will lead sponsor services. Mike Barber leads contestant services; Chuck Pinnix and Will Yearns lead course management, and Steve Melton is in charge of concessions. Jordan Bressler leads the media area, Mike Ebel is in charge of security, while Thomas Hockman oversees pro-ams. Jay Kenerly works with volunteers, Lindley Ivey oversees parking, Elizabeth McKinney handles the spectator services and Jessica Pearson fills the at-large position assisting with all areas of tournament operations.
“We are very fortunate to have many years of tournament experience represented on our tournament committee,” tournament director Mark Brazil said. “Keith Dyer has been volunteering for more than five years, and the rest of the tournament committee has been a part of the Wyndham Championship for several years as well; that level of consistency is difficult to achieve, and we are very lucky to have so many great volunteers assisting us with tournament operations.”
Gant joins an impressive list of former honorary chairmen that includes Mackey McDonald Chairman and CEO of VF Corporation, Dennis Glass, president and chief operation officer of Lincoln Financial; Jim Melvin, president of Bryan Foundation and former mayor of Greensboro; Charlie Reid, former chairman of United Guaranty and Fred Starr, former chairman of Thomasville Furniture.
The 2008 Wyndham Championship is set for Aug. 11-17 in Greensboro, N.C. Tickets are available online at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Worldwide and Premier Partners, AIG, BB&T Cadillac, Harris Teeter, and VF Corporation for their continued support. Additional tournament information is available at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office at (336) 379-1570. For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.
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