Champions Tour announces 2008 Volunteer of the Year

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BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The Champions Tour has selected Sue Rietzel of the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif., as its 2008 Volunteer of the Year. The announcement was made yesterday by Champions Tour President Mike Stevens at the Champions Tour annual player awards dinner held in conjunction with this week's Allianz Championship at the Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, Fla.

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Sue Rietzel (left) continued to volunteer as she battled breast cancer.

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Rietzel received the distinction via a balloting process that included nominations from tournaments on the 2008 Champions Tour schedule. In total, Champions Tour events enlist approximately 24,000 volunteers annually.

A Southern California native and proud mother of two daughters, Rietzel and her husband of 39 years, Cal, have volunteered for the Toshiba Classic for the past three years. As the Volunteer Management Committee Coordinator, Rietzel works behind the scenes pursuing, contacting and organizing the tournament's nearly 1,000-person volunteer force. In 2007, Sue endured an enormous challenge as she battled breast cancer. While undergoing chemotherapy treatment at nearby Hoag Cancer Center, Sue continued to volunteer her time leading into and during the tournament week, sometimes putting in 10-hour days.

"Even though she was literally battling for her life, Sue's commitment to this tournament never wavered," said Jeff Purser, Executive Director of the Toshiba Classic. "For many weeks, while she was going through her final stages of chemotherapy, she still made it into the office and continued working. She is truly a special person and her dedication is seen every day."

"I am honored to be named the 2008 Champions Tour Volunteer of the Year," said Rietzel. "There are so many hardworking volunteers at our event, so I will share this award with all of them."

"Sue's incredible strength and dedication is an inspiration to us all," said Stevens. "We thank Sue and her fellow volunteers for donating their time and efforts, which allows the Champions Tour to support a wealth of charities in the cities we visit."

Also honored at the dinner were the previously-announced 2008 Champions Tour player award winners Bernhard Langer (Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Jack Nicklaus Trophy, Arnold Palmer Award and Byron Nelson Award) and Jay Haas (Charles Schwab Cup). Community Grief Support Service of the Regions Charity Classic, was honored as 2008 Champions Tour Charity of the Year.

The 2009 Toshiba Classic returns to Newport Beach Country Club on March 2-9. Bernhard Langer is the defending champion.