Ryder Cup Volunteers Start Training For Event At Hazeltine
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- We are less than two months away from the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. It's one of golf's most historic competitions, with American and European teams facing off.
On Friday, volunteers from across the country arrived in Chaska to get their credentials, uniforms, and to receive training.
"I'm really excited. I've been looking forward to this for two years now," volunteer Glenn Barth said.
And rightfully so. More than 16,000 volunteered for the prestigious Ryder Cup at Hazeltine. Applications came from 47 states and 12 countries.
"We had 16,000 people sign up to volunteer and we only needed 4,000," said Ryder Cup director Jeff Hintz.
So those who applied had a 25 percent chance of being randomly selected to be a volunteer, which made a trip to Chaska High School to pick up their uniforms all that much sweeter.
"They have to commit to work three to four shifts, for four hours -- that's it. And then they can experience the Ryder Cup," Hintz said.
Volunteer committees range from merchandise to transportation to scoring.
"It'll be nice on a hot day. I hope it's a hot day and a hot weekend," William Henry said.
William and his wife Sally-Ann are originally from Scotland, and were some of the lucky ones who got to pick up their uniforms Friday night. They are also training to be marshals.
"Holding up your hands and saying quiet, making sure they don't take photographs -- those are some of the duties of a marshal," William said.
Training will take place throughout the weekend. It's a small price to pay to be part of a once in a lifetime opportunity. For the Henrys, it's kind of like hitting that elusive hole in one.
"I feel very fortunate to be part of this event and I think it should be great fun. Watching both teams compete," Sally-Ann said.
"Yes, we'll be cheering for the Europeans but we really hope the Americans win because it would be good for golf and for the Ryder Cup -- good for competition," William said.
The Henrys told us they paid $250 for their uniforms and credentials. The Ryder Cup begins Sept. 27 at Hazeltine.