When it comes to volunteering for the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, two longtime volunteers offer reasons why more in the community should sign up soon.
“I suppose when you get right down to it, it’s when we go to the Celebration of Sharing (in late November) and give the money away to charities,” said Byron Bergman, a Marshfield resident and, since 2004, a tournament volunteer. “That’s what we’re doing this for.”
The 27th annual tournament, a PGA Web.com Tour stop, has long thrived on an army of volunteers – roughly 1,000 per year – and the tournament on Thursday issued a call for volunteers again.
The greatest need at this time is for walking scorers and marshals. The tournament, scheduled for Aug. 11-14 at Highland Springs Country Club, has gifted almost $13 million in the past 26 years to Ozarks-area children’s charities.
Jacque Walton (27 years) as well as Bergman and Jackie Barger, the Director of the Children’s Smile Center, have been volunteering for years.
“Volunteers are an integral part of the success of the tournament,” said Sharyn Wagoner, PCCC Tournament Chair. “There are over 1,000 volunteers each year doing everything from parking cars, driving shuttles, feeding volunteers, providing childcare for golfers’ families, to keeping score and marshaling the course. Without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, we would not be able to accomplish all that we do.”
To become a volunteer, visit the tournament website at pricecuttercc.org to sign up, or call the tournament office at 417-887-3400.
Volunteers are asked to pay $45, which includes a lot of perks: a polo shirt, cap or visor, backpack, water bottle, tickets to the tournament, general admission tickets to the Springfield Cardinals and access to parties, including the Volunteer Party in the Jackson Brothers of the Ozarks tent after the championship round. Volunteers who work two shifts are eligible for either a round of golf at Rivercut Golf Course or a dinner certificate to Gilardi’s.
Walking scorers have the additional perk of walking the course with three professional golfers inside the ropes while keeping score. The on-course services include a variety of roles such as keeping coolers stocked for the pros.
Bergman began volunteering in 2004 with a charity and has expanded his role. He started out as a marshal and now chairs the Operations Committee, which oversees transportation, staging, and first aid among other things. He also handles the Caddy Bibs program, which mirrors that of the PGA Tour.
“I thoroughly enjoy it,” Bergman said of the tournament. “It’s fun to see the pros playing. And you get to see them before they make the big tour.”
This will mark the 10th year in which Children’s Smile Center has been serving southwest Missouri. The non-profit covers the cost of what Medicaid will not for families in need of dental care. Many dentists in the center’s six-county area do not accept Medicaid.
That’s why Barger has made it a point to volunteer each day of the tournament since he became director in 2010.
“For me, community service is one of the most heartfelt things you can do,” Barger said. “It’s a sense of fulfillment and, in the bigger picture, taking care of people in need.”
The call for volunteers comes as PCCC-related events are rapidly approaching: a free Kids Fun Day and Junior Golf Clinic presented by the Missouri Golf Association is at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 15 at Highland Springs Country Club; and the Michele Kiser Women’s Golf Clinic and Fashion Show presented by Advertising Plus on Aug. 1 at Highland Springs.
Want to volunteer for the PCCC?
Sign up: Go to pricecuttercc.org or call 417-887-3400
Dates: The Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper is Aug. 11-14 at Highland Springs Country Club.
The perks: A polo shirt, cap or visor, backpack, water bottle, tickets to the tournament, general admission tickets to the Springfield Cardinals and access to parties, including the volunteers’ party in the Jackson Brothers of the Ozarks tent after the championship round. Volunteers who work two shifts are eligible for either a round of golf Rivercut Golf Course or a dinner certificate at Gilardi’s.
