With big-time golf pros and thousands of spectators headed toward Rock Barn Golf and Spa this week, it's Guy Hollar's job to see that every blade of grass is in place. Pretty much literally.
As director of grounds management, Hollar is in charge of a crew of 47 people working to prepare the club's two golf courses for the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn. The PGA Champions Tour event, which starts Monday, has a roster of some of the most well-known names in golf - and is expected to draw a crowd numbering in the tens of thousands.
To prepare for the Hickory area's largest sporting event, which will air on The Golf Channel, Hollar and his crew have groomed grass, moved mulch and looked after the 20 or so lakes that dot the club's two golf courses.
Last week, when it was down to fine-tuning, workers scoured the links, hand-plucking the occasional weed that had made its way into the club's meticulously manicured turf.
"When you're going to be on national TV," Hollar said, "you want to put your best foot forward."
About 90,000 people attended last year's event, which boasted a lineup that included Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Gary Player. Organizers had expected the tournament to draw about 60,000-70,000.
Defending champion Craig Stadler is set to return this year, along with Player and Larry Nelson.
By late last week, ticket sales were on pace to produce an attendance equal to or better than last year's, said Jim Correll, executive tournament director.
"The excitement is brewing tremendously," Correll said.
With just a few days until tournament time, nearly 1,200 volunteers had signed on to help with a host of tasks, from serving as standard bearers to working in the tournament office to filling in with the general volunteer pool, Correll said.
Law enforcement officers from all over the Unifour were gearing up to work the tournament. In all, 15 law enforcement agencies, plus a private security company and Catawba County Emergency Medical Services, will help with security, parking and other duties, said Conover Police Chief Gary LaFone.
Tourism officials were putting together an exhibit that will highlight the region's cultural and entertainment offerings. And the Conover public works department had been primping the city's entryways and helping tournament officials with the signs that will direct spectators and others to parking spots, said City Manager Rick Barnes.
Late last week, the Rock Barn grounds were crawling with delivery vans, catering trucks, PGA vehicles and workers putting up bleachers, tents and concession facilities.
The soggy conditions meant slow going at times, Correll said. But organizers were hopeful the Catawba Valley would see sunny skies in time for the tournament.
The Golf Channel coverage means national exposure for the Hickory area. And the tournament is a boost to local motels, restaurants and retailers. PGA officials have estimated the economic impact could range from $15 million to $35 million, Correll said.
Last year, the tournament donated a total of $100,000 to the United Way of Catawba County, Hickory Jaycees, American Legion Baseball, Hickory Metro Sports Commission and the Dale Jarrett Foundation.
At tournament time last year, grounds director Hollar was battling leukemia and working just a few hours a day.
Now, with the disease in remission, he's been logging 70 to 75 hours a week with his crew to get ready for the event. Hollar figures they'll all work 80-plus hours this week, keeping the grass mowed to just the right height - 1/8 inch on the greens, 1/2 inch on the fairways, 3/8 inch on the tees - and keeping the courses in top shape.
In the glitzy world of professional sports, that may not sound flashy. But it's exciting, he said, just the same.
"We're kind of like the stage crew at a theater production," he said. "Most of what we do is not seen, except as a finished product."
Source: Charlotte Observer (North Carolina)
