NOT FOUND: pga tour.jpgThis week I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Frys.com Open in San Martin, CA at the CordeValle Golf and Country Club. I have volunteered at golf tournaments before, as I have written. I have written about my time at the US Open at Pebble Beach last June, but this time I was inside the ropes with the players on the course. I worked as the sign bearer for the round. While it sounds exciting and fun to be inside the ropes experiencing a professional golf tournament from the player’s perspective, and believe me it is; there is a great deal of work in carrying that sign. First, it isn’t light, it is a steel pole with a steel sign that you must carry from tee to green on every hole! They could use PVC pipe and aluminum to help out with the weight. That would make this volunteer position even more desirable.
Being inside the ropes at a PGA Tour event is not a normal occurrence. Aside from the golfers, there are only caddies, rules officials and the scorer and sign bearer that are inside the ropes while play is being conducted. This makes for a very intimate setting as you hear all that is being discussed between a player and his caddie, the players themselves and their various conversations with themselves. Yes, PGA Tour players talk to themselves the same way we amateurs talk to ourselves . . . exactly the same way. I was very impressed by not just how hard and far they hit the ball, but also by their ability to turn a not so great situation into a birdie attempt. These guys are good. Also, they are very appreciative of the support they get from the community. All six professionals and their caddies made an effort to walk up to the scorer and me to shake our hands and say thanks for volunteering and supporting their work. At the end of the round they each signed a golf ball and said thank you again. I was most impressed with the fact that they remembered my name; all six of the golfers I worked with thanked me by first name. I am sure there are some not so friendly players on tour but I was fortunate to work with friendly and appreciative players who were in the middle of playing for a large purse ($900,000) in this tournament as well as towards keeping their tour status and not having to qualify again. That can be a lot of stress as you get this late into the season, but all these guys remembered to thank those that come out and make their job possible. Let’s face it, without volunteers and fans, these guys would just be playing for fun.
I had a great time walking the course and watching great golf. But most, I had a great time volunteering. I would suggest if you have a great enjoyment of golf and want to play a role, get involved in volunteering at a tournament. There are quite a few in Northern CA on the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Nationwide tours. It is a great way to see great golf up close and help keep the game going. See you next time on the course!