Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley is calling for 1,800 volunteers to help ensure next year’s Ryder Cup is one of the greatest sporting events in the world.
The application process is now open and potential volunteers can apply for up to three different roles from a choice of 15 positions. The closing date for applications is midnight on 14th April 2013.
Volunteers are sought to fill a variety of roles both on and off-course, including: scoreboard carriers; park and ride volunteers; crowd safety marshals; bus ambassadors; programme and radio sales assistants; buggy shuttle drivers; and media centre or merchandise pavilion assistants.
Paul McGinley alongside his special ‘Gleneagles 2014’ Ryder Cup bag. (Photo – exclusive Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
McGinley is to front the volunteer programme personally after seeing first-hand the positive influence of volunteers at previous matches.
“It takes a huge team of people to make The Ryder Cup a successful event, and the thousands of volunteers involved are a very important part of that,” said the Irishman.
“We are always appreciative of anyone who gives their time to volunteer and support golf and there are not many countries in the world better than Scotland for producing volunteers and marshals whose golf knowledge is second to none.
“We will be looking for volunteers who have a knowledge of the game but also people who will enjoy the experience and help to make The Ryder Cup an unforgettable event for the fans who will have a vital role to play in trying to help The European Team retain the trophy at Gleneagles.”
The process also includes a search for 60 Junior Ryder Cup volunteers to assist and marshal The 2014 Junior Ryder Cup at Blairgowrie Golf Club. All Junior Ryder Cup volunteers will have the chance to then assist at The 2014 Ryder Cup if they meet the right criteria.
Edward Kitson, Match Director for The 2014 Ryder Cup, said:“The Ryder Cup is a unique event that stirs the passions of players and spectators in a way unlike any other sporting occasion. This makes volunteering at it very special. It’s a chance to be a part of history and to welcome the world to Scotland.
“The volunteers at The 2014 Ryder Cup will be the public face of the match: they will be the first and last people our spectators see. Naturally some of the roles require specialist experience, and while some knowledge of golf would help, in most cases the main criteria is a positive attitude and genuine desire to be involved in one of the world’s great sporting events. Ideally our volunteers will be friendly, out-going, good-humoured and will enjoy helping others.”
Ryder Cup Europe has already expanded its volunteer programme to meet demand after it saw an unprecedented amount of registrations on its website ahead of today’s launch. Prospective volunteers can apply at the official website:www.rydercupvolunteers.com. There is a £75 registration fee for successful candidates, which contributes towards volunteers’ food and beverages as well as clothing for the event. Volunteers will receive a jacket or windcheater, fleece, polo shirt and cap as well as catering vouchers for breakfast and lunch.
The 2014 Ryder Cup will attract more than 250,000 spectators to Gleneagles in September 2014, with around a total of 7,000 employed staff, marshals, volunteers, and emergency service personnel and media representatives expected on site each day of the event.
