Jun 9

Written by: KrisF
6/9/2008

If you've never volunteered to work at a golf tournament before, you're missing out.  You get access to the players like no spectator can, and you get to see how these events are really run.

This year, people in the Northwest will really have three chances to get involved in professional tournaments.  The Boeing Classic (Champions Tour in Seattle), The Jeld-Wen Tradition (Champions Tour in Bend) and the Safeway Classic (LPGA in Portland).  All three present the public with the chance to participate as a volunteer on a variety of levels.

Here's the latest information on volunteering for the Jeld-Wen at Crosswater:

Tournament organizers have put out the call for golf enthusiasts and volunteers passionate about the sport to participate in the 2008 JELD-WEN Tradition presented by Umpqua Bank.

Each year, hundreds of volunteers serve as marshals, walking scorers and in many other positions, performing the tasks crucial to hosting a successful event. The tournament is now recruiting volunteers for the JELD-WEN Tradition, an official event on the PGA TOUR's Champions Tour. This year's tournament takes place at Crosswater Golf Club, Aug. 11-17, 2008.

Tournament organizers estimate they will need approximately 800 volunteers for this year's event and urge the Northwest golf community to get involved. Volunteers can expect to get a glimpse behind the scenes of a major championship and watch their favorite Champions Tour players up close, such as committed players Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle as well as newly committed players Hale Irwin and Larry Nelson.

"Volunteering gives golf fans a unique look at the tournament and the behind the scenes excitement that takes place," said Josie Whisnant, volunteer recruiter for the JELD-WEN Tradition. "We invite both new volunteers and those veterans that have volunteered year after year to help out with the 2008 tournament."

Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of positions ranging from walking scorers to admissions and marshals. Potential volunteers should consider the following:

Volunteers are asked to work at least three shifts. However, spots are available every day of tournament week.

There is a volunteer fee of $80, except for youth standard bearers. This fee provides NIKE apparel uniforms, which volunteers may keep, credentialing and parking.

Applications are available online at www.JELD-WENTradition.com/volunteers.cfm or can be requested at 541-280-1874 or golfvolunteers@msn.com .

The volunteer fee of $80 helps offset the cost associated with the volunteer packages and ultimately contributes to the charitable donations raised by the tournament. Thus far, the JELD-WEN Tradition Foundation has distributed more than $1.5 million to charity.

For those who would like to volunteer but may not be able to make a three-day commitment or pay the volunteer fee, the tournament is in need of pro-am caddies. There is no fee associated with this position, and it requires just a one-day commitment. This job involves caddying for an amateur and allows the volunteer to walk the course with the Champions Tour professional paired with to that amateur.

"Every year hundreds of volunteers help make the JELD-WEN Tradition the successful tournament it is," said Evan Byers, tournament director. "The tournament could not offer the benefits and entertainment that it provides the local community without the support of the volunteers, and the tournament staff greatly appreciates the immense efforts of the volunteers."

The sixth annual JELD-WEN Tradition, an official event on the PGA TOUR's Champions Tour and Oregon's premier professional golf tournament, is one of five major championships on the Champions Tour, and will be held at Crosswater Golf Club in Sunriver, Ore., Aug. 11–17, 2008. For more information, visit www.JELD-WENTradition.com .

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