Volunteer outpouring for local PGA event overflowing

More than enough volunteers have lined up to help operate the BMW Championship, which will bring the world’s best professional golfers to Crooked Stick Golf Club Sept. 3-6.

Event organizers said more than 2,600 volunteers have been signed up six months prior to the tournament, which is expected to draw 150,000 spectators.

“Crooked Stick has a long history of volunteer turnout, dating back to the 1991 PGA Championship and it’s now continuing with the 2012 BMW Championship,” said Tom Buck, co-general chairman of the tournament and a Crooked Stick member. “Ticket sales are exceedingly strong, and the number of volunteers eager to roll up their sleeves at Crooked Stick is a testament to our commitment in providing the best experience possible for patrons, partners and the top 70 golfers in the world.”

Volunteers for the event came from around the state and even a number of other states across the country. Currently, 168 Crooked Stick members have volunteered.

Ticket sales, tournament organizers said, for this year’s event have already surpassed ticket sales for last year’s BMW Championship, which was held in Chicago.
With the production of this event, locals are hoping to prove they deserve a shot at hosting another big-time PGA tournament in the not-too-distant future.

The BMW Championship is the third leg of the four-leg season-ending FedEx Cup playoff. The top 70 golfers will descend on Crooked Stick as part of the FedEx Cup shootout.

Last weekend, Rory McIlroy went from No. 4 to No. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings. Justin Rose went from No. 43 to No. 8 in the FedEx standing after winning last weekend’s WGC-Cadillac Championship in Florida.

Also likely to play in Carmel this September is Phil Mickelson, who is No. 5 in the FedEx Cup standings and Tiger Woods, who despite a recent injury, still is No. 23.