LRTO driven by volunteers

RENO - Big events like the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open don't just run themselves. They need the help of dedicated volunteers.

While volunteerism seems to be on a downward trend across the country, the LRTO is bursting at the seams with enthusiastic helpers.

"Last year we had 560," said Bill Ferguson, the LRTO volunteer chairman. "This year we had about 730 sign up. It was a huge jump. There are people from all over the area.

"I think we have 75 between the Carson area, Fernley and Fallon alone."

The cost , yes there is a cost, to volunteer is $65, which includes a hat, two collared shirts and a guest pass for any day of the tournament.

Ferguson himself has volunteered for the past four years. He took over the volunteer chairmanship in 2007 when the previous chairperson had a family matter that forced him to resign.

"I raised my hand (at a meeting) and been at it ever since," said Ferguson, smiling. "Name of the game is to get more of the community involved in our program; recruit volunteers as far south as Genoa to as far north as Susanville and all the way to the Bay Area."

Ferguson works closely with tournament director Michael Stearns, who is concluding his second year. Ferguson said he likes the direction the tournament is going under Stearns' leadership.

Three of Ferguson's top workers - Skip Monge, Art Reid and Neil Konecny - are from the Carson City area.

Monge, who is in charge of all the marshals on the back nine, splits his time between Dayton and Arizona. Reid, who is in charge of the front nine marshals, lives in Jacks Valley. Konecny, who works for course services, has resided in Carson for 34 years.

One thing is certain, they all love being part of the LRTO experience. Reid is the elder statesman of the group with 11 years, Konecny is in his 10th year and Monge is in his sixth year.

Konecny is the best friend of players, caddies and tournament officials, especially in hot weather. His job is to make sure every tee box is supplied with ice and bottled water. Sounds simple, but getting around a course like Montreux Golf & Country Club, even in a cart, isn't that easy. He estimates that he will deliver 6 1/2 tons of ice during the week.

"My first year here was the first year I was unemployed, so I volunteered," Konecny said. "I love what I do. I get to ride around in a cart and schmooze with the golfers while they are waiting (at the tee)."

Konecny said he's been yelled at a few times.

"I think some of these guys (golfers) have eyes in the back of their heads," he said. "They will see a cart (moving) that is 300 yards down the course."

Konecny works the afternoon shift. He arrives at 11 a.m. everyday and is on the course until the last golfers are done.

Reid is a self proclaimed 'golf nut'. He's worked the celebrity tournament in Lake Tahoe for the past 17 years, but he enjoys his time at the LRTO more. Reid and Monge help out wherever needed on their respective sides of the course.

Ferguson said some of the problem holes on the course are three, eight and nine, and that extra bodies are always used there. Besides keeping the crowd quiet and in check, marshals will help spot errant tee shots. Those three holes always use more than two marshals because of the out-of-bounds areas.

"I like doing this (PGA) better," Reid said. "I love talking to the players. I probably do it too much. I used to be the hole captain at No. 1. There is 11 minutes between tee times and a lot of times the players would stand around and talk to you. I wouldn't do it if they were coming off 10.

"Golf-wise, the celebrity tournament is a lot of fun. I don't like the professional autograph seekers, though. They are very rude. They don't know anything about golf, they know the entertainers."

Reid, who also worked in transportation when he first started volunteering, said he's gotten to know some of the veterans like Billy Mayfair and Jay Haas. The latter even signed a hat for him, and Reid eventually got Haas' son, Bill, to also sign the hat. The younger Haas has played at the LRTO several times.

When Monge started volunteering six years ago, he worked for Reid.

"I saw an advertisement in the newspaper," Monge said. "I thought it would be a lot of fun. I went to work for Art for two years. I marshaled my first two years."

Monge said he doesn't try to socialize with players.

"Unless they talk to me, I keep my mouth shut," he said. "I might say good morning or nod to them. That's their office; they're working."

Monge usually spends between 10-12 hours on the course each day of the tournament. For instance on Thursday, he arrived at 5 a.m. despite the fact the first tee time wasn't until 7 a.m.

Monge also is an avid golfer. When he is in town, he plays golf with his son-in-law once a week at various courses in Reno, Dayton and Carson. When he's at his Arizona residence he said he usually plays three times a week.