Volunteers are a part of the Scoring Committee which manually operates the Monster Scoreboard near the Driving Range, thru boards at each green and communicates scores from our radio command center. Volunteers are primarily needed Thursday through Sunday of tournament week and are asked to work two (2) full days instead of 4 one-half day shifts. Additionally, we need ambassadors for a few specialized functions Monday thru Wednesday of tournament week which are coordinated directly with the committee chairs.
Featured Story: Rick Parker 2006
Before he retired, Rick Parker completed his 35 years with Wachovia as a Senior Vice President and Director of Wachovia Dealer Services.
However, for Rick, like so many others, retiring in one career simply means its time to embark on another. Parker is now a Compliance Director at a well-known automotive group in Charlotte, North Carolina and, in the little spare time he has, volunteers with the Scoreboards/Scoring Asst. committee of the Wells Fargo Championship.
"I like this committee. You get to be close to the players," he says. Parker also likes that this committee is one that allows its volunteers to see excellent golf-it's a part of their job.
These Ambassadors run the thru-boards on each hole, the introduction boards at holes one and ten, and the Monster Scoreboard located near the driving range. "The guys who operate that board are gifted."
As to the difficulty of being on this committee, he comments, "It's not hard, but can be mentally taxing. You have to be sure you don't misspell names or put down the wrong score." This has to be done almost instantly, and before the next crowd arrives at the hole.
For everything to run smoothly, Thru-Board Leader Parker likes to have about 50 to 55 people as Scoreboards/Scoring Asst. Ambassadors throughout the week. Coordinating this many people, spread between the radio command centers and the course holes, is no easy task. During Championship week, Parker starts each day around 7:00am, and ends his day when daily tournament events conclude.
"I'm constantly walking and some days I walk the entire course 10 to 15 times." One advantage to that is he experiences all of the aesthetic qualities of the Quail Hollow Golf Course. "Hole 17-it's about the prettiest hole you will ever see."
Any other advantages? "It's an absolutely delightful group to be in. And it's a lot of fun to do it."