has anyone done this before? how is it?

i've never been to a pga tour event but the shell houston open is coming in a couple weeks and the volunteering package sounds pretty good. pay 75 for uniform and you get 4 passes and free parking and i guess you get to do some easy job on the course.

do you all recommend volunteering for an event even if you've never been to a pro tournament?

is it really boring and do you not really get to watch the golfers?

Depends on the job you get. I've volunteered at Colonial for over 20 years and have had some good jobs and some not so good jobs. The best part is, you're a volunteer. In other words, schedule your time so that you get to help out some and watch golf some. My suggestion would be to volunteer during the practice rounds, then use your pass to watch the tournament on other days.

Also, in case anyone is interested, I know Colonial is still looking for volunteers as well. Go to: www.crownplazacolonial.com and sign up if you're interested.

I think If it was my first event I'd rather just go and watch versus volunteering, but that's just me. If you do volunteer it usually requires 3 four to eight shifts during the week (each tourney varies) You do get a pass for the whole week, so you can go on days your not working and of course stay after your shift and watch as well.

As for watching golf while you are working, it all depends on what your assignment is. If you're a marshall on one of the holes. You actually are supposed to be facing the crowd and away from the players duirng the shot. This happens I'd say only about 50% of the time at most. Most of the marshalls I see use the inside the rope assignment to watch golf and ocassionaly throw their hands up to quiet the crowd. If you're assignment is off course such as hospitality, concessions or merchandise tent you obvisouly won't see any golf while working.

one of the best gigs is the walking scorer, but you usually have to have had experience doing that or at least worked several events in some capacity. I don't think they put too many first timers on it.

I volunteered during a Senior US Open a few years ago, and my assigment was the driver of the vehicles they keep on course to drive the players off during a rain delay. While I was working I got to stand by the tee where my vehicle was and watch, but not be inside the ropes. After the tourney was over I got to drive Fuzzy Zoeller to the airport (posted in different thread).

So it all depends on how much time you want to invest in working versus watching. If you have plenty of time to take off work and can get enough of both in, then why not go for it. If your time is limited I'd pass on the volunteer and just go as a fan.

i just volunteered at the ACE Group Classic. i was the standard bearer for Joey Sindelar, Jim Dent, and Tim Simpson. it was very fun. you get free lunch and breakfast and can get drinks from the coolers they have on teh course for the pros. it's real exciting walking inside the ropes and getting to talk with the pros.

Do it. It's a great experience. I volunteered at last year's Byron Nelson and it was fantastic. If Houston is anything like the Byron the days they'll be short people are the Wednesday pro-am and the Sunday finale.

I was going to do the 09 champions tour in desmoins iowa. But just to fill out the app. Was 75 $ And you have to pay before you fill it out. What the crap it says volunteering ? I mean i realy wanted to help out. But if im going to have to pay 75$ i mite as well just pay and go watch lol

Uniform Committee is the best way to go! You have to be there for 4-5 days the week before the tournament while all of the other committees have their meetings. You give out their uniforms, parking passes, tickets, etc., then have the entire tournament week off. We also got a free round at Trump International. This was for the LPGA's season ending ADT Championships.

I've volunteered as a marshal a couple of times at the Greensboro golf tournament. I did just one shift one day each time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Getting on the tee of a par 3 is good because you can see the previous green then all of your hole.

I also volunteered at a souvenir stand a few years at the Michael Jordan golf tournament that was held here for several years. That was slow until the crowds filtered in around 10 a.m. or so, and then it was non-stop for about three hours, then slowed down again. Didn't get to see any golf in those events.

I would like to volunteer again, maybe caddy at a lower-level event or work on the course, which I did in college.

I used to be a volunteer at the old Kemper Open, before it died. They didn't make us pay for the uniforms, which is rare. It was a blast. Try to get on the security team. At least when I did it, after my first year, when I was a crossing guard, I was put on a cart and got to ride around and watch golf. Can't beat it!

ok it seems like most people have fun if you get the right job. the question now is how is the job selection process? is it first come first serve? does some person just randomly assign jobs to people?

my main concern is that i've never been to a pro tournament or any golf tournament before so i feel like maybe i should just go as a spectator my first time and volunteer next year.

but if you can choose which job you get and i can basically just watch golf then i might just go for it.

I'm sure each tournament has a slightly different process but in general they are probably all somewhat similar.

When I signed up to volunteer for the USGA, I had never done it before. It asked for your preference of assignments. If there was a prerequisite of experience it would be noted. Most of the assignments will have a mandatory training session or two the week before the event.

having been to many tournaments I had seen the different volunteers in action so I kind of new what was involved. In addition there should be a pretty thorough description on the sign up site.

I'm sure they do give preference to return volunteers to have first pick at their choice. Also they generally have members from local country club as the tee box marshalls, so that is pretty limited. Beyond that a big thing is your availibility, if you list a very limited amount of time that you can work, you most likely will be put in to fill in holes.

Again, I suggested since it's your first event to just go as a spectactor. But I don't want to be responsible for you missing out on an experience you would have enjoyed. If I were to recommend volunteering to someone who had no experience, but had a general idea of golf I would say the following.

Transporation committee-see my earlier post for description

Driving Range Attendant-you want see live action, but will get to watch a lot of practice. Be prepared to stay late after the round sorting golf balls. Once they are all gathered on the range. Someone has to go through and put them back in groups of Brand.

Player Hospitality-you want see any golf while working, but you will get a chance to meet many of the players. And most of the time you will be inside. Important depending on where and when the tournament is due to temps.