Nationwide Tour announces 2008 Volunteer of the Year

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The Nationwide Tour has selected Gary Eastburn of the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft as 2008 Volunteer of the Year, it was announced Wednesday by the PGA TOUR.

Eastburn has been a dedicated volunteer of the Nationwide Tour event in Boise, Idaho since 1996. He resides in Meridian, Idaho, and is one of approximately 12,000 people who volunteer to support Nationwide Tour events every year.

Eastburn and his late wife, Debbie, worked on a variety of tournament committees from 1996 to 2006 when Debbie was diagnosed with cancer. After being away from the tournament for one year, the Eastburns returned in 2007 to co-chair the security committee. Early the following summer Debbie succumbed to her cancer. Three days after her funeral Gary attended a committee chair meeting, much to the surprise of Tournament Director Patrick Siver and other chairpersons. Following the meeting, Eastburn told Siver he would be taking two weeks off from his job at Hewlett-Packard to work both advance week and tournament week of the 2008 event. "He told me he needed to stay real busy," Siver said.

Eastburn was asked to head the product committee, which receives, distributes and manages all of the materials the tournament receives from its more than 100 sponsors. From Sept. 2nd through Sept. 15th Eastburn was at the course, regularly putting in 12-15 hour days.

"Gary Eastburn's story is one of great personal spirit and perseverance under the most trying of circumstances," said Nationwide Tour President Bill Calfee. "We congratulate Gary on being named 2008 Nationwide Tour Volunteer of the Year. There are many dedicated and energetic individuals who join Gary and go above and beyond to contribute to the success of the Nationwide Tour event in their city. While we are grateful to each and every one of them, Gary's efforts really stand out. We thank him and his family for their commitment to the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft over the last 13 years."

"I have always taken great pride in the part that I play for this tournament and I do not think I am anything special," said Eastburn. "I am honored to be recognized by the PGA TOUR and to be a part of the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft. The tournament has always been more than a golf tournament to me and my family and this recognition further strengthens our commitment to the event and what it does for others."

"Gary has been an integral part of our volunteer team in Boise for years," said Jeff Sanders, CEO and President of Jeff Sanders Promotions, the tournament's management team. "Over the past 20 years, our event has experienced a great deal of success in many areas. Having one of our volunteers recognized by the PGA TOUR reinforces the great teamwork that has made the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft a community event. We congratulate Gary and his family on this award."

In recognition of his selection, Eastburn will receive two Delta Air Lines tickets to travel to the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C. As a special guest of the Nationwide Tour, he will receive VIP credentials and attend the Card Ceremony on Oct. 25th at which "The 25" leading money winners will be honored and awarded their 2010 PGA TOUR cards.

The Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft will celebrate its 20th playing this year in conjunction with the Nationwide Tour, which also turns 20 in 2009. Hillcrest Country Club has hosted every Albertsons Boise Open since 1990 and will do so again this Sept. 14-20. A leader among Nationwide Tour events in charitable giving for many years, the tournament made donations in excess of $3 million combined in 2007 and 2008.