Wells Fargo Championship Exec Dir Kym Hougham Abruptly Decides To Step Down

PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship Exec Dir KYM HOUGHAM "will step down" on June 30 in an "abrupt and surprising move," according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Hougham joined the nonprofit Champions for Education in June '02 to "help launch what was then called the Wachovia Championship." He "came to Charlotte after running the John Deere Classic" from '96-'02. Hougham and the tournament "became models on the PGA Tour." The Charlotte-based event "became a favorite stop and routinely attracted sellout crowds for weekend rounds." The PGA Tour named the Wells Fargo Championship its "best-run tournament" in '09 and '10. A tourney spokesperson said that a national search "will begin immediately for Hougham’s successor." The Wells Fargo Championship is under contract through '19 at Quail Hollow Club (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/12). Under Hougham, the tourney has raised over $19M for local and regional charities (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/13).