Ryder Cup 'volunteers' pay for right to work

It’s no secret that the Ryder Cup brings the PGA of America tens of millions of dollars in profits. But you might be surprised to hear that the PGA further pads its bottom line by charging each of its 3,600 volunteers a $220 admission fee.

That’s nearly $800,000 in all.

The fee goes toward costs associated with the volunteers, such as uniforms, food vouchers, securing a parking lot for them off Old Henry Road and running shuttles for them to the course — but it does not cover all those costs, Tara Guenthner, a PGA of America official, told the Louisville Courier-Journal.

For 16 hours of work the volunteers also receive daily access to the event with the privileges of an upgraded ticket worth $555.

Still, a fee? For volunteering to wrangle galleries, pick up trash and silence hecklers?

I’d rather watch from home. For free.

Comments

[Richard Johnson]

This is the one way (volunteering)that I can give back to my community. I work Monday thru Sunday, 12 hours a day at the tournament and away from my family but I would not trade it for the world. Thanks for the opportunity to give something back

[Joe]

This past year I worked 5 tournaments ranging from Q School Finals in Orlando to Nationwide BMW Charity Pro-Am to 3 PGA events from Hilton Head to DC. Costs were pretty consistent, except for Q School which was free for shirt and hat. Otherwise the PGA events were in the $75-$85 range and "stuff" varied, Verizon included trousers, polo, wind jacket and hat, Wachovia included polo, wind jacket and hat, ATT included just polo and hat. BMW again was polo and hat. My feeling is that week passes to these events would cost that much and more, plus I have the benefit of being "inside the ropes" and getting fed. By the way, Wachovia feeds the best!! Overall, of the tournaments I've worked, I believe that Wachovia is the classiest and best run from a volunteer viewpoint. However, Q School is the most fun.

[Liebert]

I've vol'd for the chrysler'pods/now transitions for several years and I can't possibly relate what a pleasure it is. The benefactors of the tourney are local charities, primarily kids. The tourney Director is possibly the most inspiring man I've known and some of the vols have turned in to lifelong friends. I'll gladly pay and sacrifice my time and a few bucks to be a part of it. I also have to say that after playing Copperhead this past weekend for the first time, I can see why the pros love it so. Hats off to Gerald, Steve, Doug and the rest for a wonderful week in the year. Chris (and as I'm sure she would want me to mention...Shirley Jones)

[Barbara Mistretta]

I have worked the tournament starting with the J c Penny and it is going to be 22 years this year and I have loved every one . and now it the PGA.

[Dave]

I gladly pay to work tourneys as my schedule permits. Maybe I'm nuts but I really enjoy it. I worked the Euro tour while in the Air Force stationed in Stuttgart and then the International each year before it folded. This year I worked the US OPEN and the Senior US OPEN. I plan to travel and work 1-2 tourneys a year if possible - great fun and see new places. Question for anyone out there - how can I volunteer for the RC in 4 years and the is there a link for volunteering for the Masters?

Thanks
Dave, Colorado Springs, CO

[Michael Nettler]

I have been volunteering at the Chrysler/Pods Championship in Palm Harbor Florida for 7 years.I work approximatly 110 hours that week. I get a pass to watch the tournament, however, in the past 7 years I have seen about 20 minutes worth.

I take the week off from a 100% commission job to do this.

IT IS FOR THE CHARITY!!! What a great feeling I get from this.

Quit complaining

[Ed Resnick]

My wife, father, and I volunteer at the Deutsche Bank Championship every year. We gladly pay $75 for our uniform (worth more than $75 right there), full access to the event, parking, food, a thank you banquet, a cook-out with a concert during the event among other things. It is well worth it. Yes we work around 20 hours to help the event, but we get so much in return. Not to mention if we didn't pay for this stuff, it would most likely come out of the $ that goes to charity.

[Max Fromage]

I paid $150 to work at the 2003 Open at Olympia Fields. In exchange for four five hour shifts (I worked T, W, Th, F mornings) I got 2 shirts, a hat, and a windbreaker. I also went to all 4 roundsand got lunch everyday. I felt it was very fair. The $220 for the Ryder Cup seems excessive.

[Gerry]

I think it is outrageous that the PGA asks for $ from volunteers. It simply comes down to greed. By the way the PGA charges volunteers at all tournaments. Perhaps volunteers should stop volunteering and the fee will get reduced.

[Tom Medlin]

Crazy to pay to work at the RC. I was fortunate to work at the 2001 Masters as a Pinkerton Security Guard. Got paid about $ 5.50 hr., chit for free lunch each day ( 2 pimento cheese sandwiches, chips and drink ), and free lodging at a dumpy motel but roomed with a fine gentleman who was Arnold Palmer's personal bodyguard for 20 years. BEST of all, I was stationed at the viewing stands at the 14th tee with the 13th green just to my right. There are majors, there is the Ryder Cup, but ALL take a back seat to the annual spring ritual at Augusta. The Masters is in a class by itself.

[J Correia]

The fact that they have to pay is just outrageous. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to volunteer at the Open this year and we received a windshirt, cap, food vouchers and entry for FREE! The PGA needs to take notice of how golf fans(and volunteers) are treated in Europe. Maybe they could take some of the FEDEX cups deferred $10 million and contribute that to the cost of outfitting the volunteers. They would probably get a better return on the money given the current market status.

[Roy Johnson]

I don't work for free anyplace or for anything!!!!!!!

[Joe]

I have volunteered several times now on the European tour at the Mercedes Benz championship (former Linde German Masters). We usually got 2 polos, windshirt, rain jacket, cap, free entry, food and a green fee voucher for the course. We had to pay exactly ZIP, nada, niente, zero! In that way the euro tour is way superior to the PGA tour...

[Jerry Oram]

My 17 year old son "volunteered" to work the Deutsche Bank at TPC Boston a couple of weeks ago, for the bargan price of $76. The 2 hour round trip commute cost another %120 in gas...
Ridiculous!

[DJ]

Who PAYS to work?

[Rachel]

i volunteer every year at one of the playoff events and it costs me $75 for the same things that they get for $220 at the ryder cup. $220 just seems a bit high to me...

[JOHN]

THE us open at torrey pines was 08

[Robert]

I have volunteered for a number of golf championships and have gladly paid for the privilege but when you reach $200 you are starting to eliminate significant portions of the volunteer group.

[Warren Taylor]

I payed $150.0 for the chance to volunteer to work the 2007 US Open at Torrey Pines. For that I got access to the Open when not working, including the Monday playoff, two shirts, a hat, a jacket and a water bottle. I work four 5 hour shifts. Ill sign up to volunteer the time it's near to me.

[Mark]

I worked as a volunteer at the 2002 US Open and had to pay $150 for a 2 golf shirts a windshirt and a hat