Diary of a PGA marshal

Diary of a PGA marshal

Diary of a PGA marshal

Welcome to the Diary of a PGA TOUR marshal. These entries are taken directly from my journal as a volunteer at PGA TOUR and USGA events, starting with my first day in 2009 and continuing up to the present time. The most recent event is listed at the top, followed by subsequent tournament days in sequential order. You'll also read about some of my golf travel experiences and opinions pieces on the state of professional golf along the way. My intent is to share my experiences and attempt to provide a window into what is otherwise a relatively unknown view of PGA TOUR life, as witnessed by a volunteer marshal, who initially didn't know quite what I was getting involved with, but which has exceeded all of my expectations. Wyn Morton

Wednesday

(Email from the USGA regarding the 2020 US Open cancelling all fans at Winged Foot due to the covid19 pandemic.  A real disappointment considering the Championship had already been postponed from June for the same reason. Remember, the anticipation to volunteer as a 19th hole marshal goes all the way back to February 2019 when I registered for the lottery selection process.)    
Hello, 

We hope this note finds you and your families well and enjoying your summer. 

Since making the decision in April to move the 2020 U.S. Open to September 14 – 20, the USGA has worked closely with local and state officials on a number of planning scenarios to conduct the Championship. In conjunction with New York State, the USGA just announced the 2020 U.S. Open will be played at Winged Foot Golf Club but without fans in attendance. While we are disappointed not to have our fans on-site at the U.S. Open, we believe this is the right decision and appreciate the support and guidance that we have received from our state and local health officials. Throughout this process, our focus has remained the well-being of everyone involved, and we are confident that this approach gives us the best opportunity to conduct the championship while ensuring the health and safety of our players, caddies, fans, volunteers, and local communities. 

Without question, one of our biggest disappointments is the impact on our volunteer requirements on-site at the Championship. While we would like to retain as many volunteers as possible, due to COVID-19 protocols, we will also need to significantly reduce our volunteer program and footprint. Only a limited number of volunteer positions will be needed. Therefore, all volunteer positions will be filled by the membership at Winged Foot Golf Club. 

As a result of the elimination of the Volunteer Program, you will have the option to keep your 2020 U.S. Open volunteer apparel package or receive a full refund of $185 (or $235 if you purchased an additional shirt).The volunteer apparel package, provided by Polo Ralph Lauren, includes two (2) logoed golf shirts, one (1) wind jacket, one (1) piece of headwear, one (1) lapel pin, one (1) water bottle and one (1) clear drawstring bag. If you ordered an additional shirt with your apparel package for a total of three (3) logoed golf shirts, that will also be included in the volunteer apparel package. The package has a retail value of approximately $350 and each piece of merchandise includes the 2020 U.S. Open official logo. The apparel package will be shipped out later this fall. 

To help us process your request, please fill out the form below by Friday, August 7th:
https://survey.usga.org/s3/2020-U-S-Open-Volunteer-Refunds-and-Apparel-July-2020 

Please note we CANNOT ship volunteer apparel packages outside of the continental United States and therefore will issue a full refund for all international volunteers along with those registered from Hawaii and Alaska. 

If you do not fill out the form by August 7th, we will assume that you would like to receive a full refund and will send that to you as soon as possible, via a check in the mail to your address on file. If you have a new shipping address, please update that in your volunteer profile as soon as possible. 

Again, we are disappointed that you will not be able to be with us this year, but we are grateful for your support over the last few months and hope you will join us at a future championship, in addition to joining us as we crown our national champion in September on our broadcast partner, NBCU. Be well and stay safe! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 2020usopen@usga.org.  

All the best, 
Jenna Harmer and the U.S. Open team 
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Monday

Hello Volunteers, 

I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. First, I want to say thank you for your patience. I know it has not been the easiest with all the uncertainty, but I have appreciated your continued support of THE NORTHERN TRUST.  We have been in communication with our local government officials and the State of Massachusetts to grant us the ability to stage THE NORTHERN TRUST in this COVID-19 environment. We have been approved by the State of Massachusetts to hold THE NORTHERN TRUST at TPC Boston in August. In the current environment, only select committees are needed on site at this time. This is not something we hoped to do, but in order to hold an event, we must make sure we are keeping safety as our top priority. 

Please see the list of committees below that will NOT be needed at our tournament at this time:

    • Admissions
    • Ambassadors
    • Caddie Support
    • Championship Office
    • Course Prep
    • Hospitality
    • Kids Village
    • Mobile Marshals
    • Marshals Practice Area
    • Marshals Scoring Area
    • On Course Vol Support
    • Player Childcare
    • Player Services & Player Registration
    • Practice Range
    • Special Events/Honorary Observers
    • Spectator Movement
    • Standard Bearers
    • Starters
Please see the list of committees below that WILL be needed at our tournament at this time:

    • Vol HQ
    • Marshals
    • Player Transportation
    • Player Shuttles and Carts
    • Supply Distribution
    • Shipping and Receiving
    • SHOTLink
    • Walking Scorers
    • Media Center 

Only committees that were chosen will have access to the grounds during tournament week. If your committee was not chosen but still would like to volunteer, please click the link below to register for our Waitlist. If your committee was chosen to work, your Chairman or Captain will be in touch within a few days to discuss next steps on how to verify your schedule with your Chairman. Please note that the number of volunteers per committee needed has been reduced, so not everyone will be able to work who has registered on your committee. All shifts will now also be All Day shifts. All leaders and volunteers that chose to work will be required to sign a new waiver in order to volunteer. Additional on-site protocols will be communicated as we get closer to the tournament.

Each volunteer who is not scheduled or does not feel comfortable to volunteer, will be fully refunded. Please note that this process may take 30-60 days. Please know that we are grateful your continued support and you are an integral part of this tournament each and every year. As THE NORTHERN TRUST moves back to Liberty National in 2021, you will be granted first priority registration. You will receive information after Boston 2020 on how to make sure you register first. 

As things remain fluid, we will continue to monitor the situation and if anything changes, we will notify you. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Chairman or Captain. 

LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS-wUJVX3GHIpv8ufbQo1cpAMsBrcbTUyPR72n7ADqs0SOsQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Again, thank you for support and please stay safe!  

Best,
Megan

Megan Brewi | Coordinator, Tournament Services
PGA TOUR | THE NORTHERN TRUST
O: 201-455-6088
TNTVOLSBOS@pgatourhq.com
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Thursday


Wyn Morton

Yesterday at 9:09 AM 
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Meredith Morton Drozd, Patricia Calta and 12 others

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  • Meredith Morton Drozd

    This is just wonderful, Wyn (Morty)!!! Your little sis is VERY proud of you! 🏌️‍♂️🏆❤️

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  • Brian Morton

    This is awesome Dad! Well deserved 

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  • David Fierman

    Nice article!! I knew it was in the works because they emailed me about you. Great Job!!!! And thanks...

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  • Lauren Morton

    Amazing!! 

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  • Anthony Landry

    I’m honored that I got to walk a few of those rounds with you, it was always a highlight of my year!

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  • June Stanton

    Terrific!!! So very proud of you, my son! 💗😄

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  • Chris Rogers

    Very cool Morty! Congrats on hitting the bigtime! 🙂Agree with 
    Anthony Landry
     - it's always fun working with this group of marshals. Let's hope we can get our steps in again at TPC in August! 

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  • Jim Tower

    Good to see you getting recognition Morty. Always enjoy working with you. Hope we have a chance to do it again.

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    • 23h

  • Patricia Calta

    Wonderful! Congrats!

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    • 22h

  • Shirley Bednarek

    So proud of my big brother. Well deserved recognition!!

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    • 17h

  • Jim Penn

    Two US Opens. One Deutsche Bank

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    • 17h
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