By Colin Murray
PGA TOUR staff

The Champions Tour visits the heart of NASCAR country this week for the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn in Conover, N.C.

With NASCAR’s strong ties to North Carolina and the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn, this week’s event was the perfect venue for the Champions Tour Wives and the Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports to once again join forces for charity.

Following on the heels of their successful “Drive for the Wives Pro-Am” in May, the two groups met in downtown Hickory, N.C., on Thursday to host a mock baby shower for the Pregnancy Resource Center of Catawba Valley. The women presented the resource center with much needed baby and maternity items.

While watching your husband compete on the golf course and watching your husband drive a stock car in excess of 200 mph are very different experiences, these wives have found a common ground in supporting non-profit organizations important to both groups.

“Even though our sports are so different, we both have a common goal, to help women’s and children’s charities” said Michelle Green, wife of Champions Tour player Hubert Green.

Tudy Ahern and Gaye Joy, Presidents of Champions Tour Wives and Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports

In addition to donating supplies and raising awareness for the Pregnancy Resource Center of Catawba Valley, this morning’s gathering offered the women of both groups a chance to get together prior to the second annual “Drive for the Wives Pro-Am.” The 2007 edition of the “Drive for the Wives Pro-Am will be held Feb. 5, in conjunction with the Champions Tour’s Allianz Championship in Boca Raton, Fla..

The unique charity event will feature 18 pro-am teams consisting of one Champions Tour Player, one NASCAR driver/owner and three amateurs. All proceeds from the event will be divided between the Champions Tour Wives and the Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports.

Champions Tour Wives, Inc., is a Florida not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping others through organizations that promote assistance to and benefit women, their families and their many different needs. It is comprised of wives of professional golfers on the Champions Tour and others who support their charitable endeavors. Since its incorporation in 1994, Champions Tour Wives, Inc., has raised more than $2 million for its various Charities.

The Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports’ mission is to enrich the sport of NASCAR with a commitment to its families through fundraising and wellness programs for those requiring medical or financial assistance. In addition, the Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports, Inc. helps to support organizations with like-minded missions and purposes.