Susan Knowles climbs out of bed each morning of Greater Hickory Classic week eager to get down to the driving range at Rock Barn Golf and Spa to see familiar faces and old friends.

The Conover resident has been volunteering there since the tournament started in 2003 and has gotten to know many of the players and caddies well.

“It’s like a family reunion,” she said. “You just don’t have the potato salad and cherry cobbler.”