Playing
Ray Dennis
Becky Jones
Carl Piontek Local Residents Help PGA Tourney Run Smoothly Volunteers
94-year history. Te Ocean Course on Kiawah Island has the distinction of repre- senting the
B 18 BY COLLEEN DENNIS
Palmetto State for this prestigious event, and a large number of local residents will be among the 3,000 or so volunteers whose efforts will help the tournament run smoothly. Local volunteers will donate a minimum of 16 hours of their time, plus a $200 fee, for the privilege of helping the Professional Golfers’ Association of America orchestrate a historic event not only for the South Carolina but also for the Ocean Course. In exchange, the tangible
EGINNING AUG. 9, the PGA Champi- onship will grace the greens of South Caro- lina for the first time in the tournament’s
benefits they will receive include food and water vouchers, discount- ed rates to play the Kiawah Island Golf Resort courses, a uniform and a copy of the official program. How- ever, it’s the intangible bonuses that really excite the volunteers. “I feel it’s a privilege just to be able to volunteer,” said Mount Pleasant resident Carl Piontek. “Tis is a major golf tournament on the tour. You’re going to pay a little more to be a part of it, and that’s fine by me.” Piontek’s eyes absolutely light up when he talks about being on the Ocean Course with some of the greats of golf, such as Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and last year’s champion, Keegan Bradley. In addition to feeling like you are part of the action, there is always the chance you will get to meet the
players during the practice rounds. “Te biggest perk for me is that
I just enjoy doing it,” said River- Towne Country Club member Ray Dennis, who will be marshaling the fifth hole. “You really feel part of an event when you volunteer.” Becky Jones, a food and bever- age manager at Patriots Point Golf Club, is used to being part of the action. As a former caddy at the Ocean Course, her participation in the PGA Championship will be a homecoming of sorts. She was hop- ing to be a walking scorer, so much so that she woke up at midnight the day the volunteer slots opened just to snag the coveted position. How- ever, she is not complaining about her assignment as a marshal. “I’m just majorly excited to be in the middle of all the action and watch the guys hit the ball,” said Jones.
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Photos by Kayla Jones Photography.
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