Toshiba Classic

Contacts:
Jessica Roswell
949/660-1001
JRoswell@toshibaclassic.com

TOSHIBA CLASSIC VOLUNTEER SUE RIETZEL NAMED 2008 PGA CHAMPIONS TOUR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Newport Beach, Calif., February 5, 2009- Out of approximately 24,000 volunteers on the PGA Champions Tour, Sue Rietzel, Volunteer Management Committee Coordinator for the Toshiba Classic, has been selected as the 2008 Volunteer of the Year.

"I am so pleased and proud of Sue and this award," said Jeff Purser, Tournament Executive Director. "Sue and her husband Cal begin their volunteer work in September and spend hundreds of hours processing applications and working with everyone else on the volunteer committee to make certain that all needs are met. She is truly a special person and her dedication is seen every day."

As the Volunteer Management Committee Coordinator, Sue and her husband, Cal Rietzel, work together behind the scenes pursuing, contacting and organizing the close-to-1,000-person volunteer force. In 2007, Sue endured an enormous challenge as she battled breast cancer. Throughout treatment, Sue continued to volunteer her time leading into and during 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 Purser. "For many weeks, while she was going through her final stages of chemotherapy, she still made it into the office and continued working.

"It was obvious to all of us at the tournament of Sue's dedication," said Brian Horn, Volunteer Chair. "This is a testament that we truly to do have the best volunteers on the Champions Tour."

Sue and Cal will be flown to Boca Raton, FL to join the PGA Champions TOUR players and staff at the annual season-opening awards dinner, where she will be honored.

The Toshiba Classic
Hoag Hospital Foundation produces the annual Toshiba Classic. During the last 11 years, the Toshiba Classic has raised more than $11.1 million for charity, the most on the Champions Tour. In the PGA Champions Tour's 29-year history, only nine out of more than 600 tournaments have raised $1 million in net proceeds from an event in a single year. The Toshiba Classic has reached the $1 million mark nine consecutive years out of those 10. Televised to an international audience on Golf Channel, the Toshiba Classic enables millions of viewers to see some of Orange County's greatest attractions. The tournament generates an estimated $20 million in annual economic impact for the county and state. For more information, please call 949/660-1001 or log onto ToshibaClassic.com.

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