SPRINGFIELD, lllinois - The Rail Charity Golf Classic announced the hiring of Doug Eibling as Executive Director for Springfield's annual LPGA event, the State Farm Classic, beginning November 1, 2005.

Eibling comes to Springfield from Kansas City, Missouri, with a wealth of Champions Tour event experience. Most recently he served as Assistant Tournament Director for the Bayer Advantage Classic, an official PGA Champions Tour Event. In addition to the past five Champions Tour events in Kansas City, Eibling served as Director of Operations for the 2003 Constellation Energy Class in Baltimore. His first tournament golf experience came at the 1999 Comfort Classic at the Brickyard, in Indianapolis. Eibling holds an undergraduate degree from Miami Ohio University and earned an MBA at Indiana University.

Sandra Dehner-Wheeler, the current Executive Director, had announced earlier this year that the 2005 event, her 27th in that role, would be her last. Plans call for Eibling to be working full-time in Springfield by July in a transitional and support role as Director of Sales and Marketing.

Board President, Dr. Erik Constance commented, "We are thrilled to make this announcement and open a new and exciting chapter in the State Farm Classic's history. The event would not be what it is without Sandy Wheeler; we cannot say that strongly enough, nor could we ever thank her enough. But, by the same token, we look forward to the continuation and growth of this great event under new leadership."

Media Contact:
Dr. Erik Constance
217.545.0326