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May 31, 2007
GRAND BLANC, Mich. -- The Buick Open announced that John Kirk has been named recipient of the 2007 Bob Urich Volunteer
of the Year award.
Since 1993, the Bob Urich Volunteer of the Year Award has been awarded to the tournament's outstanding volunteer from the
previous year. It is named after the current tournament coordinator, who has served as a Buick Open volunteer since
1964.
Kirk, 66, who started working as a marshall at the inaugural Buick Open in 1958, has been a Buick Open Volunteer every
year the tournament has been held at Warwick Hills (1958-1969, 1978-2006). He currently serves as the announcer on the
first tee, a position he has held since 1978. He hasn't missed a day in 27 years. It's Kirk's job to announce each of
the players as they get ready to tee off. Over the years he has spoken with many of the biggest names in golf, including Arnold
Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Fuzzy Zoeller and many more.
"We are very pleased to honor John Kirk for his many years of dedicated service to the Buick Open," said tournament director
Mike Mattucci. "It's because of people like John and the hundreds of other dedicated volunteers that the Buick Open
has been successful over the years."
"It's been a real honor to be working with all of the professional people that
run the Buick Open," said Kirk. "This is an extreme honor for me, as there are other people who are very deserving."
Kirk, who was born and raised in Flint, Mich., was all-conference (Saginaw Valley) in basketball while at Flint Central
high School. He went on to play at Flint Jr. College. He started working for General Motors in 1964 as a personnel
manager for the AC Delco Group under the GM parts umbrella. He retired in 1992.
Kirk has served as the supervisor of basketball for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for the past 12
years; supervisor of officials for the Saginaw Valley Conference in football and basketball for the past 33 years; and also
serves as supervisor of women's basketball officials for the Michigan Community Collegiate Athletic Association (MCCAA).
Kirk continues to serve the Buick Open as the announcer at the first tee.
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Media Contact:
Al Abrams
Buick Open
(212) 367-4527
al.abrams@momentumww.com
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