In Southern Pines, it is more fitting to say that it takes a village to run a golf tournament. And a village of volunteers is exactly what is keeping the 2001 U.S. Women’s Open operating smoothly.
Over 2,600 volunteers are stationed throughout Pine Needles golf course with a variety of responsibilities. From cleaning the grounds and regulating the noise level to keeping score and serving refreshments in the concession stands, these volunteers are trained and ready to go.
Need a ride from the clubhouse to the 9th tee? Just look for Tom Burton, one of several volunteers shuttling weary spectators across the course.
This is not Burton’s first experience as a golf tournament volunteer, and it won’t be his last. Burton volunteered at several events in his home state of Ohio, as well as the 1996 U.S. Women’s Open and 1999 U.S. (men’s) Open. Burton has already signed up to volunteer again in the 2005 U.S. Open, which will be held in Pinehurst.
Burton is not the only veteran. Hundreds of this year’s volunteers were also involved in 1996 and 1999.
Ginny Prescott, a member of the Executive Women’s Golf Council, has been actively involved in promoting golf throughout the Sandhills for several years. This week she can be found in the information booth at the main gate.
Prescott is equipped with a notebook full of answers to potential questions. But if she does not have the answer someone is looking for, she has a plan. “I’ll just smile and make a call to find the answer,” Prescott said.
Each of the 18 holes is sponsored by a community organization. These organizations have pitched in to create their own team of volunteers. Representatives from the groups serve as marshals in the gallery of each hole.
Woodlake Country Club is proud to sponsor holes 6 and 8. Gene Frazelle is the team captain for the 8th hole. Last fall Frazelle began looking for volunteers for his team, but he did not have to look hard. The Woodlake team consists of over 70 volunteers. Of those, 13 are working with Frazelle on the 8th hole.
Frazelle said that the volunteers prepared for the Championship by attending an orientation and training seminar. This seminar equipped the volunteers with valuable information regarding crowd control. Frazelle said that the crowds really have not been a problem yet, but he does expect the crowds to become more congested this weekend.
Frazelle does not anticipate any serious crowd problems because “the spectators really appreciate the game.” But nonetheless, he is aware “that a crowd is still a crowd,” Frazelle said.
Mirellie Funk has not seen much of her husband at the tournament this week. Funk volunteers at the practice range while her husband is stationed at the putting green.
The husband-wife duo volunteered together at the 1996 Women’s Open and plans to volunteer again in 2005 for the Men’s Open. “If I’m still alive,” she added.
Anyone interested in being a volunteer in a future tournament is offered a bit of advice from Gene Frazelle: “Just sign up and do it. But sign up early.”
