How to attend major golf competitions as volunteers?

Updated March 2023

It's time to apply to be a volunteer at the Olympic Games (For us, the application is done). Be careful, you are not applying only for golf!

Like all major sporting events, major golf events call for volunteers . This is a fabulous opportunity to discover the competition from the inside .

I had the pleasure of being selected as a volunteer for the 2018 Ryder Cup in St Quentin and it was a fabulous experience for me, especially as I was lucky enough to be assigned to the press centre. This will also be the case for us in Rome this year (press centre for one, driving range for the other) and the girls in the family will also have the pleasure of volunteering at the Solheim Cup). We will not fail to share our experiences with you.

Be careful, this is not always the case, you can also find yourself in the parking lot or at the entrances, which is less fun;

You get a pass to attend the entire competition (you work half a day and the other half a day you attend the competition) and a package (sometimes paid).

In my case in 2018 the pass was also a “journalist” type pass which gave access to areas closed to the public.

We also received 2 free polo shirts, a windbreaker, a bag and because I was at the press center, I was also able to have a package given to journalists, namely a backpack, a water bottle and the book presenting the event.

You are also provided with your meal vouchers. You only have your travel and accommodation costs left and above all it saves you the stress of getting your tickets, which is sometimes not so easy.

We also have priority access at a preferential rate to places for family and friends.

How to apply and, above all, be selected?

First, start by volunteering in your club, this will allow you to answer the question about your experience.

Obviously it is better to be comfortable in English or even to know another language.

You have to anticipate , in general as soon as the competition ends I start looking to see when I will have to apply for the next one.

Then you have to search. I use this search " Year name of the volunteer competition "; For example, for the Masters, by typing "2023 masters volunteer application" you will arrive on the page where you are told that of course the applications are closed for 2023 but that you can leave your contact details to be informed of the opening of applications for 2024.

Fill out your application and hope. We don't know the selection criteria and there are often many more candidates than those selected.

What competitions?

From national competition to Masters, all major competitions need volunteers!

In France, all European Tour or Challenge Tour competitions generally call for volunteers, as do all the major prizes in your club. Less fun than the major competitions, but it will allow you to enrich your application file.

Still in France, think of the Olympic Games ! The Evian Championship.

Other important events for us golfers are the Ryder Cup (too late for 2023) or Solheim Cup (in Spain in 2023)

The open of course is one of the popular events. But again, you can search for all competitions.

Volunteer, but to do what?

It depends on the competition, it ranges from reception to direct traffic in the parking lot to press assistant to hole marshal positions or scoreboard holder who follows the game. You are usually asked what positions you are applying for.

As for me, I was a commissioner at local competitions (usually drive-throughs) but also and above all an assistant at the Ryder Cup press centre (subject of a future blog)

There you have it, or almost! Apply now and don't hesitate to contact me if you want specific information about a competition.

Last minute: new site to apply for the FFG events

You may have missed it, but the FFG has published the new way to become volunteers for the French events. Go here