Volunteering at golf events

[Capella]

I did volunteer as caddy at a local ProGolf Tour event (that's the German version of the Euro Pro Tour, one of the small tours leading up to the Challenge Tour) last week and it was great fun. It was a three day event, but since "my" player missed the cut by one shot, I only caddied on two of them (which is just as well, because I think I would have just collapsed if I did have to carry that bag another day ... it was a very hilly course, I was absolutely knackered afterwards).

Since I enjoyed being there so much and the atmosphere among all the helpers (there were also marshalls, on course scorers, fore caddies etc.) was great, I just signed up as a volunteer for the Ladies European Masters, which will be held at Hubbelrath (which is just across the road from Kosaido, the course where I volunteered last week, btw ... two fantastic courses right next to each other) in September.

What's your experience? Have you ever volunteered at a professional golf event? What was your job? And what was it like? Would you do it again?

 

[Hosel Fade]

Did the Open Championship IFQ at Sunningdale a few times, ball spotting/road crossing control down the right of #2 old
Used to be a class package, shirt, hat, lunch and a voucher to play the course all taken care of, pity the IFQ is no longer

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Capella - How heavy was the bag? Anything in it that would surprise us? How many balls were in there?

 

[Capella]

Capella - How heavy was the bag? Anything in it that would surprise us? How many balls were in there?

The bag was an ordinary carry bag, so no staff bag, thank god. It was a bit heavier than my own, mostly because the clubs themselves were heavier (I play very light irons with graphite shafts and only carry 12 clubs anyway), but not massively so, I'd say still under 15 kg. The weather and forecast was very good, so no brollie or heavy rain gear. But seriously, most weekend warriors' bags and clubs are newer and shinier than the well used and slightly battered ones that this pro carried (or rather, in this case I carried for him). He had a Tailormade RBZ driver and three wood, two hybrids (one was a Callaway XHot, the other I can't remember). The irons were a mixed set of older Tailormade MCs (5 and 6 iron) and MBs (7 - P). Three wedges (52, 56 and 60°), I can't remember the make and model, but they were rusty ones. A milled face half-moon shaped putter (again, don't remember the make and model, but nothing fancy). The bag was a very worn old Titleist bag. No sponsorship or endorsement contract, obviously. Balls were Titleist ProV X, but also a few other balls in the bag. Overall it was a very down to earth, well used bag that would absolutely not catch your eye in front of the club house terrace. Nothing glamorous about life on the mini-tours, I guess

edit: oh ... no of balls ... don't know exactly, bit over a dozen, I'd say ...

 

[patricks148]

not personally, but a few of the guys i play with always do the Scottish open when its at CS.

they get a waterproof jacket and a hat, plus lunch and usually a free round depending on how many days they do.

one mate did group scoring every day, he loves it.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Thanks for the breakdown. I played in a pro am last year with a pro who was at a very low level, Euro pro at best, but his gear was all sponsored so he had the bag, up to date clubs etc of a top pro although his was worn whereas a top pro, by his own admission, would get them replaced well before that state. He got one set of clubs per year, including wedges. It was interesting to see his gear but I thought it cheeky to ask to open the pockets up.

I know it is an odd question regarding the number of balls carried but I have a bit of a fixation about this, a fear of running out. I knew I should not have watched Tin Cup.

Back on track I went to the Johnnie Walker Classic at Gleneagles a few years ago. I was chatting to a helper and they got a very smart set of JW gear including, obviously, waterproofs. Black was the theme and I thought they looked great. She volunteered every year and loved it. She got a prime spot inside the ropes, free gear and a chance to watch pro's play up close. What is not to like?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Our club regularly supply marshalls for the BMW at Wentworth. Only done it a few times but enjoyed it. Would certainly consider it again if I can tie up some annual leave to coincide

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Quite a bit, Marshalled at Hubblerath a few years back for the German Open, also worked at some minor events as well as Wentworth, Gleneagles and the highlight........... Medinah😃

 

[TXL]

Been marshalling at various events for several years now. Have done most jobs inside the ropes, static, mobile, walking scorer & board carrier. Have also been "in charge" of the evacuation buses and a zone captain ("looking after" marshals on up to 9 holes). Events worked at include Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Wentworth, World Matchplay when it was in Spain, Wales Open, Johnnie Walker at Gleneagles, Portugal Masters, Senior Opens at Sunningdale & Royal Porthcawl and a few Ladies events.

 

[Toad]

Marshalled at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, was there from the first practice day and the experience was amazing.

Managed to get placed on the first hole and spent most of the time on the tee, was there with the paddles for the first tee shot that was superb.

Atmosphere was without doubt the best I have ever experienced at a sporting event, would put it up there with the mighty St Johnstones Scottish cup win in terms of enjoyment.

From the chants from the gaurdians of the Ryder cup to my chat with Tom Watson for 10 minutes on the final day, everything was just special.

Best part of being on first hole was once the last group teed off I was free to go watch the golf so saw the whole event from inside the ropes.

I still get emails from the other marshals on the first hole, they were from all over Europe and most seem to follow the European tour marshalling at numerous events every year.

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

Did the Scottish Open last week for a few days and mostly enjoyed it. Some roles - walking scoreboard being the main one I really love while others such as doing the village scoreboard are less enjoyable but there are some free goodies and the chance to watch some golf!

 

[bernix]

as you i caddied for 5 years in succession on the LET as long as the Austrian Ladies Open was held at our club.
very similar experience to yours but caddying at Kosaido is nuts have you never walked the course before?
OK, maybe your fitness level exceeds mine but our course is virtually flat and although i always walk and often have carried my bag (winter !) i was absolutely knackered after 18 holes

 

[Capella]

as you i caddied for 5 years in succession on the LET as long as the Austrian Ladies Open was held at our club.
very similar experience to yours but caddying at Kosaido is nuts have you never walked the course before?
OK, maybe your fitness level exceeds mine but our course is virtually flat and although i always walk and often have carried my bag (winter !) i was absolutely knackered after 18 holes

I did not know the course at all before, even though it is really not that far from my home. And I never expected hills like that. And as I said, I felt half dead afterwards, but took kind of a grim satisfaction from the fact that I carried that bag while many of my male caddy colleagues (I was the only woman caddying that day) used trolleys and in one occasion even an e-trolley. So, yeah, maybe a bit nuts ... don't know if I had gone for it had I known the course.

 

[SammmeBee]

Why would you volunteer as a caddy? Payment required and 10%.......