‘A lot of people are jealous.’ Volunteers are the engine that keeps the RBC Heritage going
Paying $100 to stand in the Hilton Head sun for six hours a day, four days a week doesn’t sound like a good deal, much less something to envy.
Unless it’s to volunteer during RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.
“I think a lot of people are jealous of the fact that you’re there,” volunteer Michael Turner said. “You’re mixing right in with the pros.”
Turner is one of the over 1,500 volunteers who staff the tournament. Roles range from a child care team that plays with golfers’ children and accompanies them on “various educational, outdoor and field trip activities” to player refreshment volunteers who give snacks and refreshment to golfers, according to the website.
It says the $100 covers the hat, jacket, shirt and badge for the official volunteer uniform, parking and transportation, meals and an invitation to the volunteer appreciation party at the end of the tournament.
Volunteers are also allowed access to the tournament any day of the week, according to Turner.
Many volunteers have worked the tournament for multiple years, but some are new to the scene.
“You get to be inside the ropes, meet a lot of new people, and work with a lot of great volunteers,” Turner said.
It’s his seventh year volunteering, and he manages eight gallery management volunteers as a volunteer captain. Gallery management ensures that players move safely throughout the course and aren’t harassed or run into by fans.
Turner has previously worked on the ShotLink Laser team, where they use lasers to track the position and distance of the players’ shots, but said he likes this position the best. And, it doesn’t hurt that he’s right on the first hole.
“You’re right up with the pros, looking at all the newest gear when they’re putting,” he said. “This is probably the busiest spot in the in the whole course. It’s good people watching.”
What’s it like
“When we get here it’s still dark,” Turner said.
It depends on the role, but most volunteers work in shifts. For the 32 members of the gallery management team there are two shifts a day, each with eight members. They run 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Typically each volunteer will work four shifts throughout the week, according to Turner.
They’re given a voucher for food every shift which includes a sandwich, a drink and a dessert. While volunteers aren’t allowed to drink alcohol on the job, Turner said they often stay after or come before their to watch the tournament.
“After your shift they encourage us to stay out of the limelight and put a shirt on over our work shirt,” Turner said.
It’s Jenelle Abbott and Maryahh Scaccia’s first year volunteering on Turner’s team. They were notified of their selection in October after registering through the Heritage website.
Most people are eligible as long as they’re within 1.5 hours of Hilton Head during tournament week and can work at least 16 hours, or 4 shifts, according to the website.
“The training was spectacular,” they said. Training varies by role, but for Abbott and Scaccia they had two training sessions before the tournament.
Volunteer Kristi Scott at the emergency response trailer needed little practice. When she’s not volunteering she works full-time as an emergency room nurse, and has been volunteering for the past eight years.
She said Saturday is “always the worst day,” but typically about 25 to 30 come to the trailer each day. There are lot of falls, cuts, scratches, sunburn, twisted ankles and heat exhaustion, according to Scott.
They treat visitors, volunteers and even the golfers for minor incidents “instead of tying up the EMS staff,” she said.
Unlike many volunteers, Scott isn’t an avid golf fan — instead she volunteers “just because there is a need in the community.”
This story was originally published April 13, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
