Volunteering is Good for the Soul
Nikko Locastro putting during the 2021 DGPT Portland Open
Welcome back to the blog! I just want to start this week by letting all the readers know that my column is going to be eclectic. I will be exploring all things disc golf of course, but I will be looking for stories, ideas, opinions, and histories that hopefully shed light on the sport in creative and compelling ways. I want to entertain, educate, and maybe even influence my readers, so thanks for being here.
This week I want to shed some light on the volunteer. I think we can all agree that the pandemic was a major driving force of raising awareness of our sport and provided fuel for the explosive growth over the last two years. However, that growth could have easily been stifled if it wasn’t for the other major force in our sport, the volunteers.
On one end of the spectrum, you have volunteers for big events like Ledgestone Insurance Open and the Dynamic Discs Open, the two largest events in the sport (at least in the US). These events attract thousands of players and are planned years in advance. Player packs, special tournament discs, pop up vending, crowd control, on course supervision, and many other factors are necessary for success. If you’ve been to Ledgestone or DDO, you have seen the army of volunteers that keep those events running. It is fun and exciting to participate at these huge events because it gives you a unique perspective that you can’t get from just being a spectator or watching post produced footage.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have your smaller events, like B and C tiers, or weekly leagues. These events don’t require as many volunteers, but that just makes these people that much more valuable. Having a reliable team help carry the burden of an event allows for a TD to focus on his duties without worry. Stepping up for these events can be just as important as any big event, because you often get to wear many hats and help on a variety of tasks, and your work is very much appreciated.
There are many types of volunteers. The most visible volunteers are the Tournament Directors. They volunteer countless hours of their time planning and executing these events. The tournament to-do checklist is extensive, and TDs manage all this with no promise of compensation. Their commitment to hosting quality events is just a reflection of their passion for the game. Now this may not be the right fit for you. It takes a special type of person to step up and take on the challenges that running a tournament present. But there are so many ways you can support the sport as a volunteer.
Other types of volunteers are:
Tournament Central: this is a great way to interact with players as they check in throughout the day. You get to put faces to names, and usually help with getting course and caddy information relayed. You will also help with getting scores recorded, verified, and posted in a timely fashion. Shuffling players and setting up cards for the next round may also be one of your responsibilities. This is a great way to understand just how much effort goes into a successful event.
Spotters: If you have ever lost a disc to a blind corner, or long grass, or deep in the woods, you know the value of the spotter. This can be a fun and rewarding position as a volunteer. You get to see every person in the tournament throw a hole, and as each division comes through, you get to see the throws improve. If you love the pure joy of watching discs fly, then you will have a great time being a spotter. You’ll get to waive red and green flags emphatically and that’s always fun. And the appreciation you’ll receive from the players is one of the best feelings in disc golf.
Crowd Control: Crowd control is one of the more fun positions because you’re in the heart of the action the entire round. What better place to be standing and watching an event than right behind the players? Another benefit of doing this job is the fun banter that develops as you interact with the crowds. The immeasurable feeling when you raise the ‘quiet’ sign, and the crowd falls silent can make you drunk with power.
Score Keepers: This might be the most fun position, but it comes with some pressure. If you’re keeping score for UDisc Live, then you really need to pay attention and get those stats entered correctly. It can be a very fun and exciting way to watch a round as you are essentially standing shoulder to shoulder with the players on your card. No matter what divisions your covering, it seems that being the score keeper comes with a certain amount of reverence from the card. How much easier would it be for your game if you didn’t have to worry about getting scores after each hole? You can focus on your game, and that can result in lower scores and better finishes.
Parking Lot Attendant: Now this might be the least exciting volunteer position, but it is an important one. At bigger events, the last thing you want is chaos in the parking lots. There may be different parking lots for spectators and players, and you need to direct accordingly. Sometimes parking can be limited, and you need to make sure people are parking in a tight formation to maximize the space. It is one of the thankless jobs but can be rewarding. Even though you are farthest from the action, you are providing a vital service that really takes stress away from the TD. A good volunteer team will assign this duty is stages, so that no one person is stuck in the lot for the entire day.
Vending: This can be a special place to volunteer because you get to see the retail side of things. Often you may be volunteering for the vendor rather than the TD. Benefits can include huge discounts on gear, or even some free swag for your efforts.
I would like to conclude with a summary of my experience volunteering at the Clash of the Canyons in July 2021. As you may recall, this event was part of the DGPT Silver Series, to be hosted by Dellwood Disc Golf and played on the number one course in Illinois, The Canyons Disc Golf Course. An on-site Pro Shop, ample parking, and a very tough XL Pro Layout all came together to make this event a huge success. And when it was announced, my wife and I knew we wanted to support the effort by volunteering. It was a very enriching experience, and we volunteered for all three days. The first day I was put in the parking lot, and I did such a great job that on day two they assigned me to the lot again! But then in the afternoon as a thank you, I was given the honor of keeping score for the lead card for the MPO division. I got to watch Terry Rothlisberger, Matt Bell, Dan Schlitter, and Brodie Smith play one of the toughest layouts in the state. I learned more from that round than I have in countless hours on the courses and in the parks. I learned that even pros face adversity, they just handle it differently. I learned how rhythm and timing are very important in keeping your mind and body focused on the task at hand. I learned that the pros like to razz each other just as much as me and my friends do during a round. And lastly, I learned that these pros are just like you and me; they just love to throw discs and have fun.
Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to give back to the disc golf community, and if you haven’t already done so, you need to carve out some time to volunteer. It is good for the soul, and will help you appreciate the complexities of hosting and working these events.
