SAS staying in Cary

Champions event set through 2013

The SAS Championship returns to Prestonwood Country Club next week for its eighth year as a Champions Tour event.

World Golf Hall of Fame inductees such as Hale Irwin and Tom Kite arrive in Cary early next week as part of the 78-player event, and starting on Sept. 26 they will compete over 54 holes for a $2.1 million purse, including a $315,000 winner's take.

Tournament officials said Monday that the title sponsor SAS, a software company based in Cary, has extended its partnership with the Champions Tour through 2013.

This is the third extension for SAS, which launched this tournament in 2001. The tournament is the first among the Champions Tour's roughly 30 annual events to commit to 2013, with an option for 2014.

Jim Davis, SAS senior vice president and chief marketing officer, said his company chose to continue its partnership with the Champions Tour because it helps foster a stronger relationship with the Triangle community and provides an opportunity for continued philanthropy.

A portion of the proceeds from the SAS Championship has been donated to various nonprofit educational organizations since 2001, in particular Communities In Schools of Wake County, which operates the SAS Learning Center in Raleigh.

Davis said the tournament also benefits clients and potential clients of SAS, who travel from around the world to attend the event.

"It makes sense," Davis said. "It wasn't a hard decision."

Returning for this year's tournament wasn't a hard decision for golfer Mark Wiebe, either. He is the defending champion after posting a three-day, tournament-record score of 18-under 198 a year ago.

Wiebe, who received a sponsor's exemption last year and won in his Champions Tour debut, said he returned for the good food and hospitality.

"They don't miss anything," he said. "They make you feel at home."

Wiebe said that's why many Champions Tour golfers pencil in the event.

For golf fans, that means an opportunity to watch some of the legends of the game.

NOTE: For more information on the event and for tickets, go to www.saschampionship.com or call (919) 531-4653.