STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Organizers of the 2023 US Senior Open at SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point are looking to fill as many as 2,000 volunteer positions for next year’s event.
Tournament Director Steve Marino, who’s been hired by the course to help organize the event, says those people will be the face of the event for most in attendance as they will be working directly with spectators and in some cases the players themselves.
“The main committees that we need help on right now are marshals, corporate hospitality, and the merchandise committee,” said Steve Marino. “Marshalling [allows volunteers] to be inside the ropes and be close to the players. Corporate hospitality [has you] helping with our corporate clients and being way-finders, things of that nature. For merchandise, you’ll work directly with our merchandise committee in the merchandise tents.”
In the two days since Marino and others at SentryWorld put out the call for volunteers to sign up they’ve had more than 1,000 residents express interest in helping out.
Marino adds that they will also need volunteers in the weeks and months leading up to the tournament to fill other roles in areas like operations, communications, and player services.
Volunteers do need to purchase a package of official tournament uniforms and other items for $95 plus tax. There are some perks such as food and beverages for the duration of the tournament and a complimentary tournament pass for days in which you aren’t working.
There will be other volunteer opportunities in the days and weeks leading up to the tournament in areas such as player services, operations, and communications. Organizers will provide more information on those later on.
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Marino says while bringing one of the USGA’s high-profile championships to the area may seem like a bit of a reach for some, he says you’d never know it from the way the community has responded. “Judging by our volunteer numbers and the support that we’ve had from the city, the county, Sentry Insurance here- it’s been a great tenure so far. I can’t say it’s any worse or any better than any other event- but so far it’s been perfect.”
The ’23 Senior Open was awarded to Stevens Point one year ago. The event is scheduled to run from June 29th through July 2nd.
