Volunteer at a PGA Golf Tournament – Another Reason for a Vacation on Maui

Do you have plans to travel in early January? Make your plans for Maui and be sure to make a point to attend the first official PGA tournament of the year January 8-12, 2015. 

I have written in the past on this tournament, it is about the best opportunity nationwide to see a pro golf tournament up close and personal without all the overwhelming crowds of the mainland. This tournament is known as the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the field is comprised of only professional golfers who have won a PGA tournament during the year 2014.

Volunteering for this Event

The really fun part is if you have ever thought about volunteering to work at an event such as this, this is your best opportunity. There are less resources here on Maui than there is on the mainland and the over 500 needed volunteers are an integral part of the tournament.

Jobs. You can volunteer for transportation (on course and off course assignments), Marshal (crowd control on course), shot link operators (laser operators on course), ticket sales, and a whole host of various assignments both on and off course, before and during the tournament. 

Extras. The volunteers get a week pass for entry, a free round of golf at the Bay course (but not around the tournament time), lunch, a couple of shirts, and a hat. You must work a minimum of 5 shifts for this, but you can work less days for a shirt, hat, and lunch. At most big mainland events like this volunteers actually pay to volunteer and do not get these extra goodies.

To sign up to volunteer, or just get more information, see the provided links below:

• PGA Hyundai Tournament of Champions
• PGA Volunteer
• Kapalua Volunteer

The above photo is taken of the 16th green, the volunteers are having a meeting before the arrival of the golfers. The large tower you see accommodates both the Golf Channel TV cameras and the Shot link operators. In the background are some of the homes located within the Kapalua Plantation Golf Estates. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate here on Maui, give me a call and I would love to assist you.

Event Rules & Details

This event is not just about golf but also about the many organizations here on Maui that have benefited from the over $5 million distributed to the various local charities in the Maui community since 1999.

The week following this tournament the golfers then move over to Oahu to participate in the Sony Open, January 12-18, 2015. They also need volunteers to make the event happen.

The Hyundai Tournament of Champions this year will run from Jan 8, 2015 to Jan 12, 2015 (Thursday-Monday). Thursday is the Pro-Am tournament, that is the best day to be around if you want to get pictures and autographs. If you are a volunteer you do not do the picture and autograph thing while working, so plan that for before or after your shift. 

In the past you were not allowed to have mobile devices on course, but now as long as you silence your devices the tournament allows them. No photos are allowed except on the Pro-Am day (Thursday). The players are much more relaxed, and if you are in a good location you will have a great opportunity to get autographs and pictures with them.

Transportation

There will be free parking at the Honua Kai Resort again as there was last year. You can take the free shuttle to the golf course, which begins running 15 minutes prior to gate times and runs continuously throughout the day. The tournament will be held at the incredible Plantation Golf Course in Kapalua, Maui.