With Maine golf in full swing, it is the season for becoming a golf volunteer.
The Maine State Golf Association (MSGA) has several openings for golfers who want to help at MSGA tournaments or in other ways.
Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist
To become a “rules official,” one is required to attend a U.S. Golf Association or an MSGA rules seminar. There are a lot of golfers who think they know the rules of golf very well, but after attending a rules seminar, they would realize there are some rules they either did not know or did not understand.
“Volunteers make our tournaments special,” said Brian Bickford, executive director of the MSGA.
At those tournaments, course marshals are needed for spotting, scoring, assisting the media and other tasks.
Rules officials and marshals also are required for tournaments. Then there are important volunteer positions not related to tournaments.
Between 10 and 20 courses in Maine annually are rated during a golf season. People doing this usually are members of a team of “course raters,” and they are supervised and led by a person who is certified as a course rater. That person generally is a full-time employee of the MSGA.
There is a great need for persons interested in becoming a “committee member.” Separate committees concentrate on finance, tournament, scholarship, junior golf and marketing.
Summing up the “volunteer” subject, Bickford said: “From rules officials to marshals, to on-course spotters, volunteers make our events different than all other events in Maine, and the players love it. Volunteers bring a level of excitement, enthusiasm and knowledge of the game of golf that the players readily appreciate.”
He then added prophetically, “I think Confucius said, ‘Many hands make light work.'”
To apply for these volunteer positions, go to the MSGA website (mesga.org) and click on volunteers. Or make a call to the MSGA telephone at 207-829-3549.
In addition to the MSGA volunteer opportunities, there were some for the “Live & Work in Maine Open,” a Korn Ferry Tour event June 23-27 at the Falmouth Country Club. However, it was reported late last month that more than 250 volunteers had been recruited, giving that tournament all the volunteers it needs.
This tournament, sponsored by Shamrock Sports Entertainment of Portland, is scheduled to be held in Maine for five years, the first of which was 2020, when it was postponed because of COVID-19.
There are limited ticket sales for the tournament. For more information on tickets, phone 207-613-3300.
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With Father’s Day approaching, here are some unique gift tips:
• Golf shafts from Breakthrough Golf Technology — Stability Tour 2 Polar is an option, because they produce Stability shafts, which feature tour-proven performances with accuracy and control. Check the website at www.breakthroughgolftech.com.
• For a guide to better green-reading, go to www.golflogic.com.
• Golf & Ski Warehouse in Scarborough is a great place to find any kind of golf equipment, as well as all kinds of golf gift ideas.
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The MSGA Play Day schedule for the upcoming week: Men’s events June 11-12 at Webhannet, and women’s tournaments June 8 at Spring Meadows and Springbrook.
Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor, now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his ninth season as Sun Journal golf columnist.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
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