Hickory loses Champions Tour stop

Lagging sponsorship sales have cost the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn its spot on the 2015 PGA Champions Tour schedule.

The tournament, which has been played at Conover’s Rock Barn Golf & Spa since 2003, has been replaced on the schedule by a tournament in San Antonio.

“It was a timing issue,” said tournament executive director Jim Correll. “The PGA wanted to release their schedule, and we couldn’t commit that we had full sponsorship to continue. We’re cautiously optimistic that we can expand some of our relationships that we already have and find some new partners. But it was too late for ’15.”

Correll said the tournament needs “between six and seven figures” in sponsorship dollars to continue.

The tournament has become one of the more significant events in the Hickory area. Former champions include former Wake Forest star Jay Haas (2014, ’09, ’05), Andy Bean (2006) and Fred Funk (2012).

“This tournament means so much to our area,” Correll said.

The tournament is operated by the Greater Hickory Classic Foundation, with all net proceeds going to Hickory-area charities.

This story was originally published December 18, 2014 at 7:10 PM with the headline "Hickory loses Champions Tour stop."