Volunteering at the U.S. Open

Serving as a volunteer at the U.S. Open is a true privilege for a golf fanatic like me.

I play golf and live on the TPC Avenel Course. My family and I have hosted 13 golf professionals during the Kemper Open and I served as a volunteer yearly at the Kemper Open and the 1997 US Open.

Obviously, I love both watching and playing the game and dream of striking the ball like the golfers who will be competing for the championship at Congressional Country Club on June 13 through June 19.

Therefore, when my club, Bethesda Country Club asked for volunteers to serve as hole marshals for the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, I eagerly rushed to sign up.

Our first e-mail from the U.S. Golf Association detailed our uniforms.  Each volunteer must outfit themselves for $160 in the official garb of the 2011 U.S. Open volunteer. We each received two Ralph Lauren Polo shirts, a jacket, hat and water bottle — not bad for attractive uniforms which can most likely be worn after the event is over.  Of course, the downside — I will look exactly like 5,300 other golfers in our metropolitan area.

In early May I attended marshal training at Walt Whitman High School. Thinking it would be a small, intimate group, I was shocked when the parking lot was almost full and more and more people kept coming.

“43 more days until the US Open,” announced U.S. Open Official Mattie Duberstein. “This tournament will use 5,300 volunteers and over 100,000 volunteer hours. The volunteers are the backbone of the Championship’s success. We could not do it with you! We thank each and every one of you.”

She continued to detail the duties of the hole marshal – one of the most important volunteer committees. I learned that a marshal has three important duties:

1. Controlling who has approved access inside the ropes of the green, tee and fairway.

2. Helping the players by insuring that no one interferes with a player or his ball.

3. Helping the spectators by making certain they are safe and able to enjoy the play.

The marshal must give commands and directions to the crowds, being firm and loud, yet polite. While the marshal does have access to the players, he/she must NEVER ask for an autograph, make rulings or give advice to the players (as if a player would listen to advice from me!)

My role as a marshal is to serve as the eyes and ears of the Championship and to observe if there are problems with spectators. 

All volunteers must work a minimum of four shifts during the week.  Sometimes I work from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and other days from 12:30 p.m. until the last golfer goes through. It seems like a huge commitment, but I will be outside, watching golf and enjoying the excitement as it builds. I will get to witness the greatest shots and the agony of lost opportunities. And maybe I will pick up some swing tips or a new putting style just by observing.

I’m excited that I get to volunteer at one of golf’s most prestigious events. I’m pleased that I will be able to watch the greatest golfers in the world and I’m thrilled to give back to a game that gives me endless pleasure.

As the drama of the U.S. Open unfolds beginning this week, I will be reporting from my tee-side position on who I see, what I hear, and how the championship is unfolding. Stay tuned for more excitement!