Golf competition seeks volunteers

Jan 31 2013

Ryder Cup organisers are seeking 1,800 volunteers to help out at the golf competition next year.

The tournament, which involves the best players from Europe and the US, will be held at Gleneagles, Perthshire, in September next year.

Around 250,000 spectators are expected to descend on the area for the event, and organisers say they need volunteers for roles on and off the course.

Applicants can apply for duties such as scoreboard carriers, crowd safety marshals, programme sellers and buggy shuttle drivers.

Europe beat the US to win last year's competition, in Illinois, US, by a single point in one of the most dramatic final days the tournament has seen.

Paul McGinley, captain of the 2014 European team, is promoting the campaign after seeing how volunteers influenced previous tournaments.

"It takes a huge team of people to make the Ryder Cup a successful event, and the thousands of volunteers involved are a very important part of that. We are always appreciative of anyone who gives their time to volunteer and support golf and there are not many countries in the world better than Scotland for producing volunteers and marshals whose golf knowledge is second to none.

"We will be looking for volunteers who have a knowledge of the game but also people who will enjoy the experience and help to make the Ryder Cup an unforgettable event for the fans who will have a vital role to play in trying to help the European team retain the trophy at Gleneagles."

The application process is now open online and closes on April 13. It includes a search for 60 volunteers to help out at next year's Junior Ryder Cup at Blairgowrie Golf Club, also in Perthshire.

Successful applicants, however, have to pay £75 for the food, drink and clothing they will be given at the event, organisers say.