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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2016
Valero Texas Open Pays Tribute to 2016 Volunteer of the Year
Gerry Hagar selected as a standout contributor
SAN ANTONIO, TX – On Saturday, May 21 the Valero Texas Open showed its appreciation for the volunteer Tournament Leadership Council (TLC) at its annual Appreciation Banquet. An important part of the ceremony included the presentation to this year’s “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award” recipient, Gerry Hagar.
Hagar embodies the essence and true spirit of volunteerism. Several Volunteer of the Year nominations were submitted in support of Hagar, who has worked as a part of the Pro-VIP Shuttle committee for several years. He exhibited incredible selflessness, commitment, willingness to assist in any situation and despite the long hours of volunteering seven days straight, from sun-up to sun-down during tournament week, maintained a wonderful sense of humor.
“Over the years I would recall the tournaments with Tom…He is fondly missed. It is a distinct pleasure to win this award in his honor. I can’t thank you enough,” said Hagar upon being presented the award.
Tom Mabe, the award’s namesake, was a longtime Valero Texas Open volunteer who worked with players, fans, caddies and tournament officials for decades as a proud member of the TLC. An American hero, retired from the US Army after being stationed in Germany and fighting in Korea and Vietnam, Mabe sadly lost his battle with cancer during tournament week of 2014.
To celebrate Mabe’s memory and his vast contributions to the Valero Texas Open over the span of 30 years, the Tournament Staff, along with the TLC, established in 2015 the “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award.”
Mary Mabe, Tom’s wife, was in attendance and assisted with the announcement and presentation of the award to Hagar.
As Volunteer of the Year, Hagar was awarded with a Valero Texas Open gift package and a round of golf for a foursome at TPC San Antonio. A charitable donation of $1,000 will be made in Hagar’s honor to a charity close to his heart, National Parkinson Foundation.
In addition, Hagar received a replica of the Valero Texas Open tournament trophy; a symbol of appreciation for his significant impact on the Tournament. The Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award perpetual trophy now includes Hagar’s name and will be proudly displayed year-round in the Valero Texas Open offices as a reminder of the importance of Volunteers to the success of the tournament. In addition, the perpetual trophy will be exhibited in the Volunteer Headquarters at the annual Valero Texas Open.
During this year’s tournament week, all volunteers and TLC members had the opportunity to nominate a volunteer(s) worthy of this special recognition and who embody the same character, passion, dedication and spirit as Mabe. After much review and deliberation of the nominees, Hagar was announced as the second recipient of the “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award.” Greg Brueland was the inaugural “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award” in 2015.
Please visit ValeroTexasOpen.com to learn more about the Valero Texas Open and volunteering at the next edition of the Tournament, scheduled April 17-23, 2017 at TPC San Antonio.
ABOUT VALERO
Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, Valero), is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products, and sells its products primarily in the United States (U.S.), Canada, the United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland and Latin America. Valero owns 15 petroleum refineries located in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day. Valero is a joint venture member in Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC, which owns two renewable diesel plants located in the U.S. Gulf Coast region with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.2 billion gallons per year, and Valero owns 12 ethanol plants located in the U.S. Mid-Continent region with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.6 billion gallons per year. Valero manages its operations through its Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol segments. Please visit investorvalero.com for more information.
ABOUT VALERO IN THE COMMUNITY
Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, Valero), and the Valero Energy Foundation are committed to improving the quality of life in communities where Valero has major operations. In 2023, Valero, its employees and the foundation collectively generated more than $77 million in charitable support through direct/in-kind donations, fundraising and volunteerism. Valero employees logged more than 127,000 volunteer hours in 2023 for hundreds of projects in their communities. Valero provides funding to a variety of nonprofit agencies for programs and services supporting education, basic needs, health care and civic initiatives. Through the overwhelming support of sponsors, the foundation’s signature programs, the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children, generated more than $23 million raised in 2023 for charities across the United States.
ABOUT THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN
The Valero Texas Open is the sixth-oldest professional tournament in golf worldwide, the third-oldest on the PGA TOUR and the longest held in the same city. In 2022, the tournament celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Its list of champions includes some of the greatest names in golf history: Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Lee Trevino, Nick Price, Justin Leonard, Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth and 2019, 2023 champion Corey Conners to name a few.
Since Valero became title sponsor in 2002, the tournament has become a leader in charitable fundraising among PGA TOUR events. The Valero Texas Open, together with its Benefit for Children and Champions fore Charity initiatives, has contributed more than $232 million to hundreds of worthy charities since inception. Please visit www.ValeroTexasOpen.com for more information.
Media Contacts
Stephanie Sage
Valero Texas Open
Director, Marketing & Community Relations
210.345.3839 office
Lee Patterson
Valero Texas Open
Director, Media Relations
704.913.1088 mobile
