NC Beautiful Announces Golf Classic Honorary Chair

University of South Carolina Head Football Coach selected for annual event

RALEIGH, NC - December 5, 2007 - NC Beautiful has announced that Steve Spurrier will serve as Honorary Chair of the 23rd NC Beautiful Golf Classic. The organization's sole fundraiser will be held from June 6-8, 2008 at Pinehurst Resort, one of the world's finest golf resorts located among the Sandhills of North Carolina.

NC Beautiful Executive Director, Steve Vacendak, calls Spurrier "one of the nation's most outstanding football coaches" and says that his presence will add a great deal of excitement to the event. "We're honored that Steve will be lending his name to help us raise awareness for our event, as well as draw attention to the importance of perpetuating the natural beauty of North Carolina," says Vacendak.

Spurrier was a 1966 Heisman Trophy winner, Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year, First-Team All-American, and named MVP of the Sugar Bowl. In 1967, he was selected in the first round NFL draft by the San Francisco 49rs, where he spent the next nine seasons before his trade to Tampa Bay.

After retiring from the NFL, Spurrier coached at the University of Florida, Georgia Tech, and Duke University, where he twice earned ACC Coach of the year. In 1989, Spurrier began his legendary career as head coach for the University of Florida Gators-leading his team to six SEC titles and receiving SEC Coach of the Year five times. He made history by becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner to coach a Heisman Trophy winner (Danny Wuerffel).

After a brief stint as head coach for the Washington Redskins, Spurrier was chosen to succeed retiring University of South Carolina head coach, Lou Holtz, in 2004 and earned the distinction of being the first USC football coach to take the Gamecocks to a bowl game in his first two seasons.

"Serving as the Honorary Chair of the 2008 NC Beautiful Golf Classic gives me a great deal of pleasure and pride," says Spurrier. "Records will be broken and awards will be forgotten, but our environment will be with us forever. It's our responsibility and our duty to care for the land, the water, and the air so that it can be enjoyed by future generations."

Chartered in 1967, NC Beautiful was created as part of Governor Dan K. Moore's pledge to emphasize preserving the state's physical beauty. The goal behind Governor Moore's vision was to use the gifts North Carolina was blessed with-its natural resources, scenery, climate, and physical variety-to provide economic and quality of life benefits for the people of North Carolina. That vision became NC Beautiful's mission.

For 40 years, NC Beautiful has played an important role in the state's environmental education and supporting organizations in their beautification efforts. With such programs as the Annual Azalea Celebration and the Windows of Opportunity Grants, the organization is helping North Carolinians keep NC Beautiful.

Adds Spurrier, "No matter what color jersey you wear on Saturday or Sunday, we all have a chance to be on the same team and work together to do something positive for North Carolina. What may take only a few moments of your time now can make an impact that lasts a lifetime."

For more information about NC Beautiful or to become a 2008 NC Beautiful Golf Classic sponsor, call (919) 828-3190 or visit www.ncbeautiful.org.

About NC Beautiful

NC Beautiful has been part of the state's environmental preservation community for 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect our quality of life. Today, we concentrate on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower our citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it's a school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, we make it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC Beautiful. For more information, visit www.ncbeautiful.org.

Media Contacts

Steve Vacendak, Executive Director
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
svacendak@ncbeautiful.org

Kate Rokes, Programs Manager
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
krokes@ncbeautiful.org

NC Beautiful 2008 Golf Classic Reservation Form