VOLUNTEER PROGRAM INFORMATION
Q: It costs $85 to be a volunteer. What do I receive for volunteering?
- A volunteer credential that allows admission into the championship for all days the gates are open, including the days you are not assigned to volunteer. Your volunteer credential is nontransferable.
- The 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open volunteer apparel package (see below for details)
- Use of Volunteer Hospitality on the days you are assigned to volunteer. Grab breakfast or lunch before, during and after your shift, relax, meet other volunteers and enter drawings for various prizes throughout the week of the championship.
Q: My child wants to volunteer - are there opportunities available for juniors?
A: Yes, youths ages 14 years to 21 years old may serve as junior volunteer on the Standard Bearers committee. All other committees require volunteers to be 18 years or older.
Q: What is the time commitment for volunteering? How many hours/shifts would I volunteer?
A: All volunteers for the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship will be required to volunteer a minimum of four (4) shifts with each shift lasting approximately five to six hours. Volunteers will be responsible for arriving at their assigned positions on time. The USGA will conduct training sessions for each volunteer committee in June of 2018. Volunteers are expected to attend their respective volunteer training session, which will generally take place on a weekend and last approximately one hour.
Q: Can I be scheduled (shift assignments) at the same time as my spouse, friend, etc.?
A: We will make every effort to accommodate your scheduling requests. Make sure to list your request on your volunteer application and select similar availability when the availability selection opens in early 2018.
Q: How do I know my assignment?
A: Volunteer assignments will be made to volunteers who have completed their registration online and submitted their volunteer payment. you will receive an e-mail 3-4 weeks later with your confirmed committee assignment. You will be able to log in to your volunteer account and view which committee you have been assigned to as well.
Q: When will I find out my volunteer schedule?
A: Volunteers will be sent an e-mail regarding Shift Availability in the Spring of 2018. We will use these forms to create the volunteer schedules for each committee. You will be notified of the dates you are scheduled to work later in the spring of 2018. As always, we will make every effort to accommodate your availability preferences; however, we cannot guarantee each request will be granted. If you are traveling from out of state and made travel arrangements, please indicate that on the form.|
Q: If I don’t like my committee assignment – can I move to another committee?
A: All volunteer committee assignments will be final once made available. We will attempt to assign each volunteer to one of his or her committee preferences; however, in many cases this will not be possible due to the requests for certain committees greatly outnumbering their respective staffing requirements. If the committee preferences you selected are full, we will assign you to another committee that still has availability.
Q: If I am no longer able to volunteer, may I receive a refund?
A: Yes, you will be issued a refund if you cancel before May 1, 2018. Please contact the championship office to request a refund at usseniorwomensopen@usga.org or 908-396-1553.
VOLUNTEER APPAREL INFORMATION
Q: What’s included in the Volunteer Apparel Package? Who makes it and what are the sizes.
A: The volunteer apparel package for 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be provided by Cutter and Buck. All volunteers (within the continental U.S.) will receive (1) logoed golf shirt, a jacket, a piece of headwear, water bottle and Inaugural pin. The hat and visor are one size fits all. Men’s shirts and jackets are available in Small through 3XL. Women’s sizes for shirts and jackets are Small through 3XL. It is important to indicate whether you want men’s or women’s sizes.
Q: Will I have the opportunity to purchase additional volunteer apparel pieces?
A: Yes. You will be allowed to purchase up to (2) extra logoed golf shirts along with up to (2) khaki shorts for men and either (2) skorts or pairs of khaki shorts for women. These options will appear on the apparel details page and will be added to your grand total at the end of your registration process. The additional apparel ordered will be handed out in the Spring with your volunteer apparel.
Q: What color will the volunteer apparel be?
A: Blue. In addition, pictures with the exact shade of blue can be found on the Apparel Details page when registering.
Q: How will I get my apparel package?
A: Apparel packages will be available for pick up at your specific volunteer training dates in June of 2018. Dates and times for apparel package pick up will be communicated closer to the championship.
Q: What do I do if my volunteer apparel does not fit and I need to exchange it?
A: Volunteer apparel exchange for another size will be held during the week of the championship on site. More details will be released closer to the championship.
Q: Do I have to wear the volunteer apparel provided? I have other golf clothing I would prefer to wear.
A: You are required to wear the official 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open volunteer apparel while on shift at the championship. We ask that you do not wear your volunteer apparel if you are not on shift and just attending the championship as a fan.
Q: What color pants should I wear? Can I wear shorts?
A: Men and women may wear their own khaki pants, or shorts if it is extremely hot. Women may also wear khaki skorts or skirts of appropriate length.
Q: Do I have to wear any particular shoes?
A: Since a majority of volunteers will be standing for long periods of time, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
PARKING
Q: Where’s the parking going to be for the championship?
A: The exact parking locations are still being determined and will be released in the Spring of 2018. There will be complimentary shuttles running continuously from each parking lot to the course. PARKING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON-SITE AT CHICAGO GOLF CLUB.
Q: Where do I park when I am not volunteering but want to attend the championship?
A: Volunteers will park in the general parking lot during the week of the Championship. General parking will be released to the public in the spring of 2018.
TICKETS
Q: When do tickets go on-sale for the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open?
A: If you or someone you know would like to purchase tickets, please visit www.usopen.com. Information about purchasing tickets will be posted on the website. Tickets will be available to the general public starting in the Spring of 2018. active USGA Members will be able to purchase ticket packages prior to the general public offer, that information will be released via e-mail in the early Spring. Please visit www.usopen.com at the appropriate time to purchase tickets.
Q: If I purchased tickets and then became a volunteer, can I refund my tickets?
A: No, unfortunately, all ticket sales are final.
Q: Do volunteers/his or her family members receive any discounted Championship tickets?
A: No, however they will have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets at usga.org/seniorwomensopen once available.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Q: Where should I plan to stay if I’m traveling from out of town?
A: Volunteer accommodations for the week of the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship will be the responsibility of each volunteer. We would like to recommend starting your search at:
Visit Lisle
stayinlisle.com
Phone: (630) 769-1000
Visit Naperville
visitnaperville.com
Phone: (630) 305-7701
*Parking & Transportation information will be released to fans and volunteers in the spring of 2018*
TRAINING
Q: When are the training sessions for volunteers?
A: Training sessions will take place in June of 2018. A presentation on both general volunteer and committee specific responsibilities will be addressed. At that time, you will also receive your volunteer apparel and credential packet. Those from out of state or out of the country will be given the information either electronically via e-mail, through an interactive online training, or at the Championship, depending on their volunteer committee assignment.
Q: What if I cannot attend the training session?
A: Please make every effort to attend training as this is when volunteers will receive their apparel and credential packets. However, if you are unable, your committee chairman will provide you with the necessary information prior to your first shift.
MISCELLANOUS
Q: Can I watch golf when I am not working?
A: Yes, your credential is valid and allows entry each day that the gates are open and we encourage you to do so. We do ask that you not wear your volunteer apparel when not on duty.
Q: Can I take photographs or ask for autographs?
A: When you are not on shift or in your volunteer apparel, you may use your camera or mobile device camera during practice rounds (Wednesday) and ask for an autograph after the player’s round.
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: The championship will go on and we will need your help. Make sure to report to your committee’s check-in location 15 minutes prior to your shift, rain or shine.
Q: Are there any golf privileges for volunteers?
A: Unfortunately, there are none at this time.