THUNDER BAY -- Organizers of the Staal Foundation Open are putting out another call for volunteers.
Volunteer co-ordinator Gloria Scherban said Thursday about 200 volunteer and upward of 80 or more caddies are still needed for the PGA Tour Canada event, slated for Whitewater Golf Course from July 14-20.
“Not unlike any huge event that takes place in Thunder Bay, volunteers are the backbone of delivering the services, supporting the organization, making it happen,” Scherban said.
“We’re looking for 400-plus volunteers. We’re about halfway there with recruitment, but there’s definitely lots of opportunities and you don’t need to be a golf expert.”
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities to choose from, including working in the hospitality suite to being on the course with the golfers or working the scorer’s tent.
“They’ll all be fun, wonderful experiences and we encourage Thunder Bay residents to come out.”
Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal, whose family foundation is the primary sponsor of the event, said come one, come all.
“We’ll definitely take your help,” said Staal, the second-youngest of four hockey-playing brothers to reach the NHL.
As an added bonus, Staal said volunteers have the opportunity to “watch me hack it up.”
No experience is required to serve as a caddy, said Rick Bevilacqua, charged with lining players up with someone to carry their clubs from Thursday to Sunday.
“We definitely need caddies. We’re about a third of the way there,” he said.
All that’s needed is the ability to carry a heavy bag of clubs for four days. Caddies must also be 16 or older.
“That’s essentially it,” Bevilacqua said.
While some might think they need intimate knowledge of the game, that’s not the case, not at this level, at least.
“Trust me, you really don’t,” he said, recalling serving as a caddy the last time the Canadian tour was in Thunder Bay.
“You’ll see shots you won’t see from anywhere else.”
Applications for both volunteer and caddy positions can be found online at www.staalopen.ca.
