Faces of the NCGA: The Volunteers

April 13, 2020

Due to the Covid-19 virus, the NCGA tournament season is currently suspended through May 15. Among those pining for the return to normalcy are dedicated members of the NCGA’s volunteer corps. In the next few weeks, we’ll catch up with some of our volunteers as they tell us what they miss about the game.

Ray Coates

Ray Coates with fellow longtime volunteer Stacey Baba at this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

“Without a doubt, 2020 is a strange year. We had started the season, then it was shut down. Cancelled were The Goodwin and the Western Intercollegiate, an opportunity to work and see the best in college golf. Then the realization hit that for some time forward all the other events will be canceled, including qualifiers, net events and NCGA tournaments. No interaction with the players. No interaction with the staff. And most sadly, no interaction with the other volunteers. No hearing about what is going on in their lives, what is going on with this tournament, and no satisfaction with completing a tournament. Hopefully, we will be back soon.”

Paul Layrac

“Today I was supposed to be on the 11th hole at the Western Invitational at Pasatiempo with a group of the finest officials in Northern California headed up by (2019 NCGA President) Gail Rogers and (NCGA Director of Rules and Competitions) Ryan Farb watching some of the best collegiate players in the country on a fabulous golf course. That’s what I miss.”

Lynne Gangi

“The most I miss is the contact with the other officials. We are a special breed that loves what we are doing and spending time with each other. We have had to study, go to school, pass a test, wear a uniform and spend time and money to do what we all love.

The excitement of seeing other officials the I have worked with in the past is very special. We all love the game, the players and being on the beautiful golf courses. Some of us know more than others but we are all there to help each other.”

The NCGA is always looking for volunteers to be tournament officials and course raters. Remember, you don’t have to be Rules certified to be a volunteer. For more info, please visit ncga.org/play/volunteer

Faces of the NCGA: The Volunteers