VOLUNTEER PROGRAM INFORMATION
Q: It costs $85 to be a volunteer. What do I receive for volunteering?
A: - 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 non-transferable.
- The 2018 U.S. 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.
- Volunteer Appreciation party with a +1
o Date and time to be determined and communicated in early 2018.
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 volunteers only on the Standard Bearers committee. All other committees require volunteers to be 18 years or older.
Q: What is the commitment for volunteering? How many hours/shifts would I volunteer?
A: All volunteers for the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open Championship will be required to volunteer a minimum of four (4) shifts with each shift lasting approximately 4-6 hours. Volunteers will be responsible for arriving at their assigned positions on time. The USGA will conduct training sessions for each volunteer committee in late April/early May 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 is sent out 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 up to 3-4 weeks later with your confirmed committee assignment. You will be able to log into 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 early 2018 to complete via your volunteer account. We will use this information to create the volunteer schedules for each committee. You will be notified via e-mail that your schedule has been posted to your account 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 your availability form. Any changes or issues with your schedule will be made through your committee chair.
Q: If I don’t like my committee assignment – can I move to another committee?
A: All volunteer committee assignments will be final unless the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open Championship office is notified by April 1, 2018. We will attempt to assign each volunteer to his or her first committee preference; however, in some cases this will not be possible due to the requests for certain committees greatly outnumbering their respective staffing requirements. We encourage you to list 3-4 committee preferences so if the committee preference you selected first is full, we will assign you to another committee you listed 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 full refund if you cancel before April 1, 2018. Please contact the championship office to request a refund at 2018uswomensopen@usga.org or 205-876-8586.
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 the 2018 U.S. 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 commemorative pin. The hat and visor are one size fits all while the bucket hat is either S/M or M/L. Men’s shirts and jackets are available in Small through 3XL. Women’s sizes for shirts and jackets are Small through 2XL. 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 shipped out in the spring of 2018 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 shipped via UPS to the volunteer’s shipping address in the spring of 2018. P.O. Box addresses cannot be accepted as shipping addresses. If you have an international address your apparel package will be held in the U.S. Women’s Open championship office. 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. 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 Shoal Creek.
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 when they are not volunteering but want to attend 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. Women’s Open?
A: To purchase tickets, please visit www.uswomensopen.com. Full information is posted on the website.
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 the family members of volunteers receive any discounted championship tickets?
A: No, however, they will have the opportunity to purchase tickets at www.uswomensopen.com.
ACCOMODATIONS
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. Women’s Open Championship will be the responsibility of each volunteer. We would like to recommend starting your search at:
Phone: (205) 458-8000
*Parking & transportation information will be released to fans and volunteers in the spring of 2018*
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Q: When are the training sessions for volunteers?
A: Training sessions will take place in late April/early May of 2018. A presentation of both general volunteer and committee specific responsibilities will be addressed. At that time, you will also receive your volunteer 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 credential packets and important championship information. However, if you are unable, your committee chairman will provide you with the necessary information prior to your first shift.
MISCELLANEOUS
Q: Can I watch golf when I am not volunteering?
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 (Monday-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 for the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open.