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Anyone ever volunteer at a major? Give me some input.

Darren K.

Darren K.

Pittsburgh Panther
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I got a letter saying I got a spot at Oakmont next summer to work in the merchandise tent. My course pro told me it's a pain in the ass (merchandise tent specifically). I was really looking forward to doing it, but for $165 to "volunteer," if it's a miserable experience I might skip.
Can anyone offer me any input?
 
Do you get to play the course later in the year?
 
I was a volunteer at the US Open at Winged Foot with my Dad. He was in the Merchandise Tent and I was in the golf cart barn(which rocked). Didn't have that miserable experience at all. Worked 4 shifts that were like 5 hours a piece, one day was a double. Went to the tournament all the other days.
 
I've worked several and enjoyed it everytime. I worked merchandizing tent 4 years in a row. It's actually quite fun, and it's Air Conditioned! Big bonus when it's hot like it was in Pinehurst
 
I have volunteered for the men's and women's U.S. Opens at Pinehurst as well as the PGA in Atlanta a few years ago. I was fortunate enough to be a Marshall at them so my experience is based on that, but I enjoyed all of them. And for the package we got for volunteering I'd say that it was well worth it. We didn't not get a free round at either venue, but we did get a free round elsewhere for volunteering at the PGA. I had a friend at the merchandise tent at the U.S. Opens and he didn't enjoy it as much as having been a Marshall at other events. He said it was extremely hectic, but being able to attend the Championship and the perks he got made it worth it in the end.
 
I volunteered at an LPGA event, and that was one of the main draws, being able to play the course after the tournament (I think you had a month or 2 to play it after the tourney).

I would do it, just so I got free access to the grounds the other day if it was in my area. I would think the merchandising tent could be fun. Get to interact with fans at a very cool event.
 
ddec said:
I know I did not get that offer.
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They probably didn't want the course record broken. Completely understandable.

Volunteering is pretty cool, a major would be even better than your normal tournament. You either want to do it or you don't, either one is fine and completely up to you Darren. You'll have fun if you do it though.
 
Mward said:
They probably didn't want the course record broken. Completely understandable.

Volunteering is pretty cool, a major would be even better than your normal tournament. You either want to do it or you don't, either one is fine and completely up to you Darren. You'll have fun if you do it though.
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They closed the course for Phil's Mickleslam funeral that night.
 
I did the U.S. Senior Open a few years back at Caves Valley in Maryland. I was on the transportation committee, stationed at one of the holes with a Escalade to escort players off the course in bad weather. Having a SUV with AC to sit in when it got near 95 was a nice perk. Then drove airport runs on SUnday afternoon afterward.

Getting access each day I didn't work was great. Did not get an offer to play at any time. I don't think the USGA usually makes that avaiable. Best bet is to hope to meet a member who's volunteering and suddenly become good friends :D
 
I volunteered the merchandising tent for Merion. I liked it and when it rained, I was good. You get a pass for every single day, so I was there watching golf all the time. I also ended up with a lot of nice swag. The work really isn't all that bad, They had a large tv set up so everyone was watching the golf more than anything else.
 
If manning the grill at the rented house during Master's Week counts, then yes!
 
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