2016 PGA TOUR Championship Volunteer Program Launched
Annually the top 30 players in FedEx Cup points from the PGA TOUR collide at East Lake Golf Club to compete for in the season ending TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and the $10 million FedEx Cup prize. At the heart of our agronomic success are the volunteers that helps us produce world-class tournament conditions. Today we are excited to launch our 2016 TOUR Championship Volunteer Program.
Today (March 2nd) we began accepting volunteer submissions for the 2016 TOUR Championship (September 19th-25th). If you are interested in volunteering please read the volunteer letter below and follow THIS LINK to the Application Form.
In addition to many industry professionals, we have been pleased to partner with multiple university turfgrass programs to provide students with a hands-on introduction to tournament golf. Last year we hosted student volunteers from Penn State, Horrey Georgetown, and the University of Tennessee.
Annually, through the support of industry partners such as John Deere, Bayer, Syngenta, Harrell's, (and many more) we are able to provide a first-class experience for our volunteers. In 2015 we had our first "Volunteer Oasis" complete with a large gathering area for meals and pre-shift meetings, and a lounge area complete with A/C, six leather couches, and two flatscreen TV's for off time between shifts. We are definitely looking forward to having these ammenities again this year, and would like to thank all of our industry partners who have made this tournament a huge agronomic success year after year.
Welcoming volunteers onto our team for that week is one of our favorite parts of hosting this major tournament. Volunteers new and old become more like family by the end of the week as we work through all of the challenges thrown at us throughout the tournament. At East Lake we are all about staying on the cutting-edge of Agronomic practices, and part of that pursuit is the sharing of ideas amongst industry professionals. We enjoy fielding questions about our agronomic practices and getting feedback from others on how they've been successful.
Volunteer positions are available to all golf maintenance industry professionals. We have a limited supply of hotel accommodations available for out of town volunteers. These accommodations are likely to be filled by early May. If you are interested in volunteering, the letter below contains much more specific information. Please read through it and follow the link to the signup form to complete your submission. Click here for our volunteer application submission form
If you have any questions or inquries concerning volunteering, please don't hesitate to let us know. We would be happy to help.
(And don't miss the 2015 photo gallery below the letter!)
Jason Tharp
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
East Lake Golf Club
jtharp@eastlakegolfclub.com
In addition to many industry professionals, we have been pleased to partner with multiple university turfgrass programs to provide students with a hands-on introduction to tournament golf. Last year we hosted student volunteers from Penn State, Horrey Georgetown, and the University of Tennessee.
Annually, through the support of industry partners such as John Deere, Bayer, Syngenta, Harrell's, (and many more) we are able to provide a first-class experience for our volunteers. In 2015 we had our first "Volunteer Oasis" complete with a large gathering area for meals and pre-shift meetings, and a lounge area complete with A/C, six leather couches, and two flatscreen TV's for off time between shifts. We are definitely looking forward to having these ammenities again this year, and would like to thank all of our industry partners who have made this tournament a huge agronomic success year after year.
If you have any questions or inquries concerning volunteering, please don't hesitate to let us know. We would be happy to help.
(And don't miss the 2015 photo gallery below the letter!)
Jason Tharp
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
East Lake Golf Club
jtharp@eastlakegolfclub.com
Dear Golf Course Volunteer,
We would like to thank you for your interest in working as an Agronomy volunteer for the 2016 TOUR Championship Presented by Coca-Cola. Without your help, we would not be able to provide tournament golf course conditions and accomplish our goal of another successful tournament.
We strive to make everything run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Please take a few minutes to review all of the attached information carefully to determine if you can commit to all requirements. It is also important to please check your schedule before responding. Volunteers will be required to work the same shift(s), a minimum of two days. This year’s TOUR Championship dates are Monday, September 19th to Sunday, September 25th. Mechanic volunteers are needed a week or two before the tournament.
Positions are open for consideration to both new and prior volunteers and will be filled based on golf course skills, schedule availability and previous year’s performance. To be considered for a volunteer position, anyone interested must fill out the attached Volunteer Information Link completely and return it to me no later than July 15, 2015. This year we are using an electronic volunteer form. Within this email, there is a link for you to click on. Once you click on it, fill out the form and then click the submit button. This form is required every year for each volunteer and it will help us place you in a position best suited to your skills.
One of the perks of volunteering for this event is a free volunteer play day and BBQ lunch here at historic East Lake Golf Club. Caddies are available with notice at a discounted rate of $100 for 2 bags. Note that volunteers must be paired so that each caddie will carry two bags. The 2016 TOUR Championship Volunteer Play Day will be on March 20th, 2017. In addition to the play day, you will be given the opportunity to purchase advance discount PGA tickets for any friends or family that would like to attend.
Sincerely,
Mandy Rowell
Administrative Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator
(404) 687-2454
Ralph Kepple, CGCS Jason Tharp, AGCS Charles Aubry, AGCS
2640 Glenwood Ave. S.E. 2640 Glenwood Ave SE 2640 Glenwood Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30317 Atlanta, GA 30017 Atlanta, GA 30317
(404) 687-2449 (404) 687-2454 ext. 370 (404) 687-2454 ext. 371
Due to safety and security reasons, we have a few rules we must enforce. If you are caught breaking any of the following rules, you will be asked to leave and not allowed to return for any future events including the play day.
- There will be no drinking alcohol before or during any scheduled shift.
- Guests are not permitted. If someone is not on the list of volunteers, they will not be permitted through the Agronomy gate. Guests must enter through the main gate with a ticket. Advance discount tickets will be available for purchase.
- All cell phones must be on “silent” and allowed in designated areas only.
- Back packs are not allowed; please leave them at home or in your car.
- We strive to look as professional as possible and we require everyone to follow the same dress code. Please see Dress Code below for more information.
- Cameras will not be allowed Thursday through Sunday.
- We are only supplied enough badges for 1 day’s worth of volunteers. You will be required to return your badge to the volunteer check in/out EVERYDAY.
- You are required to check out and return any assigned or borrowed equipment before leaving the property every day.
- Meetings before every shift is mandatory and it’s your responsibility to know when you are expected to be present. Please allow extra time for check in.
- This year’s shifts are scheduled to start with a 6:00 am meeting. Breakfast is scheduled to begin between 5:15 and 5:30 am. Afternoon shift will begin with a 3:00 meeting. Dinner will be served BEFORE the meeting, starting at 2:00 pm. We will have snacks available between the end of the morning shift and dinner.
- Saturday’s volunteer schedule may be altered due to NBC’s air time commitments.
- Every car will be required to have a parking tag. You may request one at check in and you are required to have it hanging from your mirror to avoid being towed.
We will have a limited amount of rooms at the Downtown Decatur Courtyard Marriott this year. We will accommodate as many people as possible. We will put 2 people to a room.
Hotel Room will depend on:
- Distance away from East Lake Golf Club (at least 2 hours)
- How many shifts you are working
- How many years you have volunteered at East Lake
DRESS CODE:
We supply:
- Dry Fit Golf Shirt. 1 Shirt for 3 or less days worked and 2 for 4 or more days worked. All shirts must be tucked into your pants.
- Ear protection if necessary
- Ball cap style hat
Volunteers should supply:
- Pants or Shorts: Khaki (Cargo style not permitted)
- Shoes: Flat bottom soled shoes (no healed), tennis shoes are acceptable.
- Rain Gear
MECHANIC SHOP VOLUNTEER
Working in the Golf Course Equipment shop during The Tour Championship involves redundant mower maintenance and checks, staging of equipment for morning and afternoon mowing operations and reaction with resolution to a variety of urgent mechanical needs. You will also observe the crew and volunteer staff to ensure no mistakes are made in haste, and monitor mowing operations to ensure safe and proper operation. The ability to maintain composure and a helpful, friendly, “can do” attitude while remaining flexible is the most important virtue needed for this volunteer staff opportunity. While many volunteer staff are needed to complete course preparation for tournament play each day, preparation and maintenance of the course is also very hectic in the time leading up to the actual tournament. During this time the equipment usage escalates. Nearly every machine is running daily and the need for maintenance is highest at that time. For this reason any assistance volunteered those two weeks prior to tournament week are appreciated by the equipment repair staff.
OFFICE VOLUNTEER
Office volunteers will be required to work at least three shifts this year, as we have expanded the number of volunteers this year.
Since you will be assisting with volunteer check-in and check-out, you will be required to arrive 30 minutes prior to each scheduled shift. This position works hand in hand with the Assistants and is vital to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
While working in the office during The Tour Championship it is imperative to be detail oriented. Duties involve checking in and out of the volunteers which can be very hectic at times. You will be responsible for keeping track of each person and everything that is assigned to them, such as uniform items, equipment keys, radio’s with headsets, badges, parking passes and flashlights.
We will also need your help stocking food and drinks in the Volunteer Oasis. In addition you may be asked to briefly relieve the Gate Security Guard for various reason as well as coordinate between the Gate Security Guard and the Food and Beverage Manager with any deliveries that arrive through our gate.
Going onto the golf course to view golf will only be allowed between shifts, during down time, as with all other volunteers.
2015 PGA TOUR Championship photo gallery below
