Volunteer Q&A: The experience is what keeps people coming back

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THE PLAYERS: Become a volunteer for the 2012 event

Name: Stella Brown

Which volunteer committee do you serve?

Player Services

How long have you you been a PLAYERS volunteer?

18 years

Why do you Volunteer?

It is a joy and privilege to serve on this committee, which is chaired so well by Clare Berry. I love the contact with other volunteers for these many years, and I am most honored to register and tend to the needs of the players and their families.

Tell us your favorite volunteer moment:

This dates back to the first year I was volunteering. I had been asked to be part of the Transportation Service. I was instructed to attend an orientation meeting, which I did, and took notes as to my responsibilities as a driver. One notation was that we were to fill the gas tank after making a run to the airport at the "gate." I had just moved to Florida from Ohio, and the mention of a "gate" was interpreted as the gate where we entered at Sawgrass. So, after my first run to the airport, I came up to the security guard at the gate and informed him that the car needed to be filled with gas. He looked at me and smiled and made no comment, so I repeated my request at which time he explained that the "gate" was a service station name. Being from a Northern state, I had never heard of that brand of service station -- ours were Sohio, Gulf, Exxon, etc. So with instructions from the security guard, I drove off to go to the nearest "Gate Service Station," a bit red faced but better informed!!. I explained to the volunteers at the Transportation Trailer location what I had done, and I think they are still repeating the story and laughing.The next day, I was offered the Player Services volunteer position and have been there for the past 18 years. I'm delighted to be part of the volunteer force with the hope I make it to the 20-year mark. (I am about to celebrate my 83rd birthday.)

Name: Robert Lynch

Which volunteer committee do you serve?

Markers

How long have you you been a PLAYERS volunteer?

11 years

Why do you Volunteer?

I love being around the professionals, and I also love the friendships I've built up over the years with the other volunteers.

Tell us your favorite volunteer moment:

I was Marking for Fred Funk the first two days the year he won the tournament. After Thursday's round in the scorers tent, after Fred shot 69, he pulled a ball out of his pocket and said "I only used one ball this whole round, and I'm giving it to you." He signed it and handed it to me. It looked like a brand new ball -- not one scratch -- yet I watched him play the whole round with it, showing how crisply he was hitting the ball that day. I still have the ball, together with an article in Friday's Times Union where he tells the same story.

Name: Barb Helfer

Which volunteer committee do you serve?

Marshals

How long have you you been a PLAYERS volunteer?

2 years

Why do you Volunteer?

This is a Family Affair! My brother, Rob, and his friend, Glenn, started a few years before I did, and Rob gave me my volunteer opportunity for my Christmas present. It was a great present! He did the same thing with my parents. We are all working on Hole 6 with Gary and Sheila Scott. Gary and Sheila are wonderful, and we think of them as part of the Helfer Clan. It has allowed all of us to build some lasting friendships. I come from San Jose to do this tournament, and it is a wonderful feeling when I walk into the JAX airport and see all the signage for the event all over the airport. I know that I am going to be part of something great, and it will be a time to spend quality time with family and new friends.

Tell us your favorite volunteer moment:

Last year, I was on the green at hole 6 when Michael Bradley's driver went in the pond off of 7 tee, and the spectator rescued the club. Everyone cheered, and it was a cool moment to watch it on TV and know that I was there for one of those highlight moments.