The company I work for is in the process of being purchased by a company that sponsors several tour events. Both shall remain nameless.

I'm thinking way ahead- but it would be cool to work at a tournament. I'm curious from those who might know, what the sponsor company is actually responsible for during a tournament? Obviously they put up tons of money. And sometimes the CEO or other top exec shows up to do an interview on the Golf Channel or something.

But other than that, they must have a team of people involved in some way. I know the PGA tour itself takes care of a lot of stuff, as well as TV crews, stats, etc. from their respective companies.

Anyone have any ideas?

Sponsors typically don't have much at all to do with the operations of the tournament.

Exactly what Kenny said. There is usually an event management company that the sponsor contracts with to handle all the details. They have usually just ponied up in excess of $6 million or more to get their name on it. They don't want their employees time taken up doing things they aren't qualified to do.

Other than getting a number of spots in the Pro AM, clubhouse tickets and a sponsors suite or tent they aren't really involved at all in the actual operation of it.

And also don't think tickets will be plentiful if you are an employee of the sponsor. Those are usually allocated to clients and the upper end of upper management.

I have a good friend who is pretty high up with AT&T here in DC, and he has a hard time sniffing a ticket for himself to the AT&T National.

Oh well- one can dream!

Thanks for the replies.

No problem in dreaming, and hey if you do know the right people in your company, scoring a hospitality suite pass is much better than working the tournament anyway.

Good luck!!

Good news InTheHole...

You can work most any tournament now and forever...regardless of who you work for or who the title sponsor is!!

Contact the tournament office and inquire about becoming a volunteer for next year's event. This early, you'd be a lock. Have fun!

I know when the Travelers is in Hartford here, the company I worked for used to get tickets because we were one of their oldest customers (near 100 years). I used to get to see a lot of golf for free and eat some good food in their corporate tent, but outside of that tent and the signage, there was nothing being run by Travelers.

Most sponsors will have extensive hospitality options for the clients, both on-site and off. Typically they will have a healthy contingent of employees coordinating all the various planned activities...getting involved in this is your best option. Problem is that the people running these op's ae usually full-time marketing type people who have some involvement on a year around basis but I'd expect they have to staff up a little bit.

Outside of that, you can always sign up to volunteer at your local event (assuming there is one).

The former CEO of my company is a member at Augusta....wish I knew someone that knew him... he's been retired now for a while though. My company doesn't host a tourney, but our competitors have a senior tour event.