The Illinois Park and Recreation Association had a unique opportunity this summer to work with another non-profit organization — the Western Golf Association — to assist in conducting a major golf tournament, the Motorola Western Open. IPRA provided more than 300 volunteers at the tournament working as ticket sellers and takers and in hospitality, clubhouse operations and VIP parking. Assisting us with security were members of the Illinois Park Law Enforcement Association, an affiliate of IPRA.

The tournament director, Gregory T. McLaughlin, had previously worked with park and recreation professionals to conduct a tournament in Florida. Commenting on the new partnership, Mr. McLaughlin said, "It was natural for us to approach the park and recreation profession for assistance since many of them plan major special events within their own community or they work at golf courses and other recreation facilities." The IPRA Board, in accepting the project, saw this as an opportunity to showcase the park and recreation profession, as well as to raise funds to pay off the mortgage on our office building.

During the tournament we were able to display our organizational skills and professional abilities — those that we use every day in operating our own agencies and facilities. Tournament officials commented on the adaptability of our volunteers, their willingness to solve problems and their great customer service attitude. While working next to corporate sponsors and tournament officials, we extolled the virtues of our local, state and regional park systems. The IPRA Executive Director authored an article in the tournament souvenir program on the benefits of participation in park and recreation activities.

Pulling this off was no easy feat and took the dedication of IPRA staff, the Fund Raising Committee and the Day Captains in charge of the various areas. While the IPRA staff scheduled all the volunteers, the committee and day captains trained and supervised them.

Every day presented new challenges and a new crew of 50-100 workers. The ticket taking and selling operation was one of the biggest challenges our volunteers faced since this had previously been done on a contractual basis with a security firm. IPRA's volunteers came through with flying colors. Taking in over $200,000 in gate sales, the margin of error was less than .1%. Another problem that we helped solve for the tournament was in the parking area. In the past, the VIP and player parking areas were overcrowded with cars who had no credentials. This year, because of our volunteers screening cars, tournament players were able to find parking spaces and unsafe traffic situations were minimized.

In looking for volunteers to work at the Motorola Western Open, IPRA first went to the members. The corporate sponsor gave us a few volunteers, and then IPRA members recruited groups through their agencies such as senior citizen clubs, golf leagues, other city employees, board members and friends.

The volunteers had a great experience and were able to see how a major tournament is run first hand. Along with tournament passes, all who worked received the official tournament golf shirt. We were called the helpful "red shirts" by tournament officials. In addition to being labeled helpful, we also were problem solvers.

Here are just a few of the volunteer experiences during our seven day-commitment.

* Finding a lost grandfather with Alzheimers and a lost child.

34 * Illinois Parks & Recreation* September/October 1994