Officials encourage interested volunteers to register now due to record interest
ST. LOUIS – June 20, 2017 – Volunteer registration opens today for the 100th PGA Championship, to be held August 6 – 12, 2018, at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. Due to a record number of early volunteer interest forms, PGA of America officials are encouraging all interested volunteers to register today exclusively through the online registration system by visiting www.pgachampionship.com. All volunteer positions will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
“Anyone considering volunteering should be aware that we have received the highest number of volunteer interest forms of any PGA Championship over recent years. This exemplifies what we are seeing throughout the Midwest as excitement grows for the return of major championship golf to St. Louis and Bellerive,” said 2018 PGA Championship Director Barry Deach. “Given the number of interest forms we have received already, I would not be surprised if all positions are filled in record time.”
To be eligible, volunteers must be 22 years of age or older and pay a $175 uniform fee that includes a one-of-a-kind 100th PGA Championship Volunteer Uniform designed by Ralph Lauren. Other benefits of volunteering include:
- Food and water vouchers to use at any on-course concession stand
- Complimentary off-site parking and shuttle service
- One-time discount at the Championship Shops
- Official commemorative 100th PGA Championship program
- Volunteer credential good for all seven days of the championship
To be approved as an official volunteer, each applicant must commit to work at least four, four-hour shifts for the 100th PGA Championship, August 6 – 12, 2018.
There are nine volunteer committees from which to choose: Admission Sales and Will Call, Championship Shop, Contestant Evacuation, Laser Operations, Leaderboards & Thruboards, Marshals, Tee Refreshments, Transportation, and Volunteer Services. Committee descriptions, including roles, responsibilities and specific tasks will be available to view during the online registration process.
“St. Louis has shown tremendous volunteer support of past championships, so we were thrilled – though not surprised – to see the large number of early volunteer interest forms submitted to the PGA of America,” said 2018 PGA Championship General Chairman Mike DeCola.
“One of the greatest ways to be a part of this historic event is to be an official volunteer, a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that includes a front row seat to one of the greatest spectacles in sports,” DeCola added. “Events of this magnitude could never happen without the legion of more than 3,800 dedicated volunteers who will each play an important role in helping St. Louis shine as it takes center stage on the international golf calendar in 2018.”
Deach continued by saying, “Though we anticipate the bulk of our volunteers to come from the St. Louis area, the PGA Championship consistently attracts volunteers from more than 20 states within the U.S., as well as from other countries around the world. With just 14 months remaining until the world comes to Bellerive, we want to ensure every St. Louisan has the very best chance to register now before all volunteer positions are filled.”
A limited number of junior volunteer positions are also available exclusively through the online registration page on www.pgachampionship.com. Junior volunteer applicants must be between the ages of 16 to 21 at the time of the 100th PGA Championship, August 6 – 12, 2018. Junior volunteers will be required to work three shifts during the week of the Championship, and as part of the PGA of America’s commitment to junior golf, there is no uniform fee charge. Positions available to junior volunteers include working various scoreboards and serving as standard bearers that walk with each group of players to display their scores.
Volunteer Registration Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why is there a cost to volunteer?
A: The $175 Uniform fee, which includes a Ralph Lauren custom design volunteer shirt, jacket and hat, ensures volunteers are recognizable to Championship officials, players and guests.
Q: When will I know I’ve been officially accepted as a volunteer?
A: After you register online for a specific committee, submit your uniform sizes and pay the fee, you will officially be accepted at that time as a volunteer for the event. You will receive an immediate confirmation of your registration via email.
Q: When will I know what committee I’ve been assigned to?
A: When registering, you will be able to select from the committees available and be able to register for the committee of your choice, if positions are still available.
Q: When will I know the scheduling of my volunteer shifts for my committee?
A: Volunteers will receive their official schedule in June of 2018.
Q: When will I receive my uniform and credential?
A: Uniforms and credentials will be distributed to all volunteers in July of 2018.
To stay up to date on PGA Championship news, register to purchase tickets to the 100th PGA Championship next year in St. Louis, or follow this year’s 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., visit www.pgachampionship.com. On social media, fans can stay in the know by following @PGAChampionship on Twitter or going to facebook.com/pgachampionship.
About the PGA Championship
The PGA Championship features one of the strongest international fields in golf, the fairest setup, and the only all-professional field among golf’s majors. Since 1916, golf’s best professionals have won the PGA Championship: from Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson; to Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy. For more information, visit www.PGAChampionship.com.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, with 28,000 professionals who daily work to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter and find us on Facebook.
About Bellerive Country Club
Located in St. Louis, Bellerive Country Club is a private club that is home to one of the finest golf courses in the Midwestern United States. Opened in 1897, Bellerive Country Club has a long tradition of hosting spectator and championship golf events. In 2013, Bellerive became only the third club in the United States to host all four traveling men’s professional major championships (PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open). Bellerive Country Club will host its first PGA Championship since 1992 when the 100th PGA Championship is played on the storied course from August 6-12, 2018.
Contact:
Jim Woodcock
FleishmanHillard
(314) 982-7778
jim.woodcock@fleishman.com
Casey Murphy
FleishmanHillard
(314) 982-6220
casey.murphy@fleishman.com