Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Reedsburg Times-PressOh, the sweet sound of a great T-shot - a hurried woosh followed by that distinct crack. Debbie Douglas and Lois Andres love that sound, and they're going to hear it a hundred times over when they work the PGA Championship in Kohler, Wis. August 9 through 15.
As volunteer hole marshals, the LaValle residents will hush crowds and direct pedestrian traffic. They'll stand feet away from golf idols like Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. They won't get paid, and they won't come home disappointed.
Like girls getting ready for prom, the two have purchased their outfits and attended preparatory classes for the premier golf event.
Andres marshaled a similar event in 1999 and demonstrated the coolness of a seasoned professional when describing the upcoming championship.
"Our job is basically crowd control," she said.
Douglas, new to the marshal scene, swims with electricity when talking about her expectations.
"It's like a dream come true. I never though I'd be on the same course as Phil and Tiger and all these famous golfers," she said.
Both ladies are avid golfers and play in a women's league. They say they became infatuated with the game after an affair with softball dwindled.
"I was getting too old, so I had to go to golf," Andres said.
The PGA Championship will take place at Whistling Straits golf course on the shores of Lake Michigan. Douglas and Andres will man the 14th hole with 10 other hole marshals.
Marshals help maintain order at each hole as golfers compete. They calm the crowd, make sure the press has space to operate behind the ropes and help locate balls in the event of a poor shot. Marshals also become advocates of the golf course by answering spectator questions.
Andres said that was one of her favorite aspects of being marshal - getting to know the crowd.
"It's so great because the people cheer so much for everybody. The same people come back to your hole, and it's like a big family.
"They ask you who think is going to win, or how is this one playing today; where's the bathroom? And they always ask, 'How do you get to do this?'"
Lucky for Douglas, Andres had the scoop on how to become a marshal.
Large corporations usually sponsor holes in a PGA championship. Hole sponsors frequently find marshals for the hole they sponsor. Andres happens to know the right person and was called to help. She invited Douglas to join her.
Andres did not hesitate. "I was like are you kidding!"
The two do not get paid for helping and even had to purchase their own uniforms. But the reward is all too exciting to pass up for these lady golfers.
"Just to see these golfers close up.... I love to watch golf even on TV. You get excited just watching them," Douglas said.
"Being right up next to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and possibly getting their autograph is worth it," Andres said.
While on hole 14 the two women, both in their 50s, will work for about five hours, rotating every 45 minutes between the fairway, green and T-box. They are scheduled to help four days of the seven-day event.
Neither have golfed Whistling Straits but are familiar with the talk surrounding this year's championship.
"I've heard (the competitors) are going to hate it. The rough is terrible. There's a lot of crosswinds off the lake. Our hole is pretty close to lake.
"They probably go through it several other places, but it is a tough course. Others who have golfed it have said you better bring two dozen balls if you don't hit straight," Andres said.
The ladies will get the chance to just sit back and enjoy the championship when not working and have access to the course all week. They also have two passes to share with family or friends.
"Our husbands are both coming Tuesday. I think they're pretty proud, like, 'Wow. We wish would have done that.' They're probably jealous, but they're taking it in good stride," Douglas said.
Most all hotels in Kohler are booked and have been for months, so the marshal duo will stay with friends for the week.
They'll join an army of approximately 3,200 other volunteers and eat up every minute of their golf adventure.
News
Council sets hearing on speed limits.
Buswell announces candidacy for 50th seat.
LaValle sends marshals to PGA Championship.
Dairy gift basket auction sends youth to state.
Crime Stoppers needs information on robbery.
Reedikulus Days packed with sales, entertainment and fun.
Variety of Vehicles Day.
Crash victim identified.
Wal-Mart helps Reedsburg Public Library.
Model T's tool into Loganville.
As volunteer hole marshals, the LaValle residents will hush crowds and direct pedestrian traffic. They'll stand feet away from golf idols like Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. They won't get paid, and they won't come home disappointed.
Like girls getting ready for prom, the two have purchased their outfits and attended preparatory classes for the premier golf event.
Andres marshaled a similar event in 1999 and demonstrated the coolness of a seasoned professional when describing the upcoming championship.
"Our job is basically crowd control," she said.
Douglas, new to the marshal scene, swims with electricity when talking about her expectations.
"It's like a dream come true. I never though I'd be on the same course as Phil and Tiger and all these famous golfers," she said.
Both ladies are avid golfers and play in a women's league. They say they became infatuated with the game after an affair with softball dwindled.
"I was getting too old, so I had to go to golf," Andres said.
The PGA Championship will take place at Whistling Straits golf course on the shores of Lake Michigan. Douglas and Andres will man the 14th hole with 10 other hole marshals.
Marshals help maintain order at each hole as golfers compete. They calm the crowd, make sure the press has space to operate behind the ropes and help locate balls in the event of a poor shot. Marshals also become advocates of the golf course by answering spectator questions.
Andres said that was one of her favorite aspects of being marshal - getting to know the crowd.
"It's so great because the people cheer so much for everybody. The same people come back to your hole, and it's like a big family.
"They ask you who think is going to win, or how is this one playing today; where's the bathroom? And they always ask, 'How do you get to do this?'"
Lucky for Douglas, Andres had the scoop on how to become a marshal.
Large corporations usually sponsor holes in a PGA championship. Hole sponsors frequently find marshals for the hole they sponsor. Andres happens to know the right person and was called to help. She invited Douglas to join her.
Andres did not hesitate. "I was like are you kidding!"
The two do not get paid for helping and even had to purchase their own uniforms. But the reward is all too exciting to pass up for these lady golfers.
"Just to see these golfers close up.... I love to watch golf even on TV. You get excited just watching them," Douglas said.
"Being right up next to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and possibly getting their autograph is worth it," Andres said.
While on hole 14 the two women, both in their 50s, will work for about five hours, rotating every 45 minutes between the fairway, green and T-box. They are scheduled to help four days of the seven-day event.
Neither have golfed Whistling Straits but are familiar with the talk surrounding this year's championship.
"I've heard (the competitors) are going to hate it. The rough is terrible. There's a lot of crosswinds off the lake. Our hole is pretty close to lake.
"They probably go through it several other places, but it is a tough course. Others who have golfed it have said you better bring two dozen balls if you don't hit straight," Andres said.
The ladies will get the chance to just sit back and enjoy the championship when not working and have access to the course all week. They also have two passes to share with family or friends.
"Our husbands are both coming Tuesday. I think they're pretty proud, like, 'Wow. We wish would have done that.' They're probably jealous, but they're taking it in good stride," Douglas said.
Most all hotels in Kohler are booked and have been for months, so the marshal duo will stay with friends for the week.
They'll join an army of approximately 3,200 other volunteers and eat up every minute of their golf adventure.
News
Council sets hearing on speed limits.
Buswell announces candidacy for 50th seat.
LaValle sends marshals to PGA Championship.
Dairy gift basket auction sends youth to state.
Crime Stoppers needs information on robbery.
Reedikulus Days packed with sales, entertainment and fun.
Variety of Vehicles Day.
Crash victim identified.
Wal-Mart helps Reedsburg Public Library.
Model T's tool into Loganville.
