Volunteer Committees
(Unless noted, all positions are for Tournament Week).
Administrative Support (Invitation Only)
Assist the tournament staff with general office tasks and logistics.
Staff Liaison: Cassandra Castaneda Kerford
Admissions
The Admissions committee ensures that all guests with proper credentials are admitted onto the tournament grounds. Scan tickets using Ticketmaster equipment and assist with ticket-related questions.
Requirements
Includes but is not limited to standing for long periods, the ability to provide excellent customer service, and working in a fast-paced environment
Broadcast Services (Invitation Only)
The Broadcast Services committee works directly with the NBC/Golf Channel, PGA TOUR Radio, and ESPN+ Broadcast teams as on-course spotters, scorers, and cart drivers.
Requirements
Golf knowledge and understanding of golf etiquette
Shifts
Must be able to work all four (4) days during the Broadcast (Thursday – Sunday).
Caddie Services (Invitation Only)
The Caddie Services team is the liaison between professional caddies and tournament officials. Team members of Caddie Services make the Caddie Lounge an outstanding hospitality venue for caddies to dine, prepare for their day, relax pre- and post-rounds and socialize with other caddies. Responsibilities include managing caddie bibs, assisting in registration, maintaining the caddie lounge, running the Annual Caddie Party, and Putting Contest on the Range.
Competition Support - Transport Group
Utilize shuttle carts to drive Walking Scorers, Spotters, ShotLink - Location Based Operators, and Standard Bearers to and from their assigned holes on the course. They will also assist in the delivery of volunteer meals as needed.
Shifts
6:00 am - 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm - 7:30 pm. *Times may vary based on tee times.
Training
Wednesday, March 29th, will be a training day for familiarization with the carts and the course. Volunteers should know the course layout and route before their first shift.
Evacuation
In the event of inclement weather, darkness, or a suspension of play, the Evacuation committee will assist in directing PGA TOUR players to their designated evacuation carts, making sure the carts are ready for use, and possibly leading groups of players toward the clubhouse.
Requirements
You must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license. Previous experience driving a golf cart is also required.
Shifts
The days needed for this position include the weekend before the tournament (to deploy golf carts on the course), Monday through Sunday of tournament week, Sunday after play, or Monday morning after the tournament (to remove carts from the course). During tournament week, the shifts are full-day shifts.
Training
All Evacuation volunteers must attend the evacuation training session the week before the tournament.
Exhibitor Services
The Exhibitor Services committee will work with numerous sponsoring companies at the Main Spectator Entrance, The Backyard area, and other potential locations on the golf course with loading in and out of the expo spaces and activation setup. Volunteers assist in keeping these areas clean by patrolling them regularly. They may also help exhibitors distribute give-a-way items and pack up after the event.
Gallery Management
Gallery Management ambassadors are provided a unique inside and outside ropes tournament experience. They are responsible for managing gallery noise and traffic, ensuring the safety of our guests by reinforcing health and safety policies, leading by example, and providing exceptional guest service to our spectators.
Gallery Management ambassadors are assigned to the teeing area, fairway, and green of a specific hole (1 – 18) or high-traffic areas such as practice locations, crosswalks, and hospitality areas.
Tee, Fairway, Green & High-traffic Area Ambassadors
- Know your role and area
- Protect the integrity of the competition
- Protect errant golf shots hit outside the ropes
Crosswalk Ambassadors
- Ensure players and caddies have a safe way to cross from one hole to the next
- Monitor cart movement on cart paths
Roving Ambassadors
- Follow playing groups to assist with more extensive galleries
- Manage crowd when rope line is dropped during errant shots
Gallery Management Transport Group
- Volunteers drive multi-passenger golf carts.
- Responsible for transporting Ambassadors to and from assigned locations
- Assist with transportation of drinks/snacks
- You must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license.
- Previous experience driving a golf cart is also required.
Requirements
Golf knowledge, flexibility, and exceptional customer service skills are beneficial and preferred. You must be able to stand for long periods of time and walk in hot/humid conditions.
Shifts
Gallery Management volunteers are required to register for shifts Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. Gallery Management volunteers must register for a minimum of 12 hours; additional hours are highly encouraged.
Hospitality
The Hospitality committee provides a friendly, welcoming experience for guests as they arrive at the entrances of our hospitality venues throughout the course, checking for proper credentials, scanning their tickets, and wrist banding them. Once guests are inside the venue, tasks may include managing noise levels within the venue, escorting guests to a seat, navigating them to the bar, food buffets, and service areas, as well as restrooms when necessary.
Media Services (Invitation Only)
The Media Services committee helps to ensure that local and national media have the support needed to produce stories about the tournament. You’ll help monitor media personnel to ensure they have a proper working environment and enhance the experience of all media members while at the Valero Texas Open. Having previous experience working in the media areas at other PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS, or Korn Ferry Tour events is appreciated for this committee.
Military Affairs
The Military Affairs Committee provides services to veterans, but also any military ID card holder enjoying the Valero Texas Open. We serve this unique community in three ways.
- We manage the Heroes Pavilion where veterans and ID card holders can take a break and get some food and drinks while enjoying the tournament.
- We provide rides to veterans who need help getting around on the course because of mobility issues.
- Lastly, we facilitate and manage the Night to Honor Our Heroes presented by Boeing event that takes place on Friday evening during the tournament; a celebration of the military service here in Military City USA.
Off-Site Transportation
The Off-Site Transportation committee provides transportation for professional players, their families, and tournament VIPs. Volunteers in this committee will be required to drive player courtesy vehicles and multi-passenger vans. This committee requires some driving in congested areas and knowledge of San Antonio’s city roads.
Requirements
Must be at least 25 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and have proof of insurance (must be provided before the tournament).
Operations - Strike Force
The Operations – Strike Force committee will assist with set-up projects onsite at TPC San Antonio and help other committees when needed. Tasks may range from placing fencing for crowd control, to performing light construction work. Every day working with this group may be different. Join this committee to participate in the operational processes of a PGA TOUR tournament.
Requirements
This committee requires walking, standing, heavy lifting, and familiarity with common tools.
Shifts
This committee needs help from late March through April.
Player Services (Invitation Only)
Player Services assists with social activities, childcare, transportation, reservations, and special needs for PGA TOUR players and their families. Strong interpersonal skills and exceptional customer service are needed, along with the ability to be flexible and accommodating during tournament week.
Practice Facility
The Practice Facility committee is responsible for the setup & tear down of the practice facility and the day-to-day operations of the driving range, putting green, chipping green, and the surrounding spectator areas. As PGA TOUR professionals enter and exit the range, volunteers will be responsible for setting up nameplates that identify each player’s hitting station and providing the players' golf balls and general assistance. Marshaling of the area and crowd control will be required, as well as allowing properly credentialed people in the area. Knowledge of the players is helpful but not necessary.
Requirements
This position works outside all day, and volunteers must be comfortable with and prepared for all weather conditions.
Shifts
Volunteers are needed from Monday through Sunday of tournament week and will be staffed from 5:00 am until 7:30 pm each day.
Pro Vehicles
The Pro Vehicles committee assists with staging courtesy vehicles at the airport, private terminals, and the golf course. They greet players and families arriving at the airport, conduct quick administrative documentation, and assist with loading luggage for the players and their families. Additionally, they help players with the return of the vehicles when departing. This committee is stationed and works from the San Antonio International Airport. The setup starts the week before the tournament, and the return of vehicles a day or so after the tournament ends.
Requirements
You must be at least 25 years old and be able to provide a valid driver's license and proof of insurance for the tournament. This committee requires some lifting of luggage and some late hours.
Shifts
Minimum of three (3), 6-hr shifts per volunteer required.
Pro-Am
The Pro-Am committee assists with the set-up of Pro-Am gift distribution, registration, welcome parties, and tournaments. This role is customer service focused, and a positive, friendly attitude is needed as you will be working with sponsors, tournament guests, and PGA TOUR Players.
Requirements
You must be able to stand for long periods with occasional moderate lifting.
Shifts
Days required: Saturday, March 18. Saturday, March 25 – Thursday, March 30, and Friday, March 31 – Saturday, April 1.
Pro/VIP Shuttles
The Pro/VIP Shuttles committee shuttles players, caddies, and the occasional VIP using multi-passenger golf carts to and from key points on the golf course.
Requirements
You must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license. Previous experience driving a golf cart is also required.
Refreshers
The Refreshers committee is responsible for supplying various locations, on and off the golf course, with snacks and beverages. Volunteers are needed before and after the tournament to set up cooler boxes.
Requirements
Some heavy lifting, working outdoors in the elements, and driving a golf cart may be required. To drive a golf cart, you must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license.
ShotLink - Competition Support
The ShotLink (Location Based Operators) and Spotters committees have merged to form one committee called “ShotLink Mobile Spotters (SMS).” The transition to ShotLink 2.0, represents the latest technological developments and continues to improve on player data collection and distribution. The ShotLink Mobile Spotters and Walking Scorers committees will both be under Competition Support.
This new committee is essential to the ShotLink scoring system’s ability to collect and distribute real time scoring and statistical data. ShotLink will now feature a PGA TOUR Scoring Technician physically assigned to each hole. Under their leadership, ShotLink Mobile Spotters will help locate and flag shots missing the fairway or green, assist with ball flight from the tee, and relay pertinent information to the Scoring Technician such as penalty situations, obstructed shots, and detailed “from (next-shot)” locations. The real-time distance data and statistics delivered by ShotLink Mobile Spotters is immediately computed and distributed to on-course scoreboards, along with TV, internet, gaming, and mobile applications.
ShotLink Mobile Spotter volunteers should have a basic knowledge of golf, and a commitment to timeliness, accuracy, and attention to detail. Effective teamwork and communication are essential in this role. All Mobile Spotters should be physically able to walk around their assigned hole for the duration of their shift in potentially varied weather conditions. Quickly locating shots not in Scoring Technician or Camera System view is a key function of this role.
Positions
- Tee Box
Tee box spotters stand in a position out of a player's peripheral vision but still visible to the Scoring Technician and Fairway Spotter. Through the use of paddles, this volunteer indicates the direction a player's shot to assist the Scoring Technician and Fairway Spotters locate that shot if off the fairway. - Fairway
Fairway Spotters work closely with the Scoring Technician to flag shots they cannot see, and to identify the correct “FROM” location. Fairway Spotters locate/place flags on shots in the first cut, rough, water, out of bounds, etc., and through a pre-determine communication plan, gets that information to the Scoring Technician. - Green
Greenside Spotters work with ShotLink Producers to locate shots landing in a bunker, water, or deep rough. If the greenside cameras don't capture a shot, the Producer has the ability to watch the video and set the shot. In the examples mentioned above, the Producer will depend on you to identify those specific locations. One Greenside Spotter will carry a supplied radio and will be in communication with ShotLink to help answer questions and address issues. - Alternate
Alternates are needed in the event an assigned primary volunteer doesn’t show up or is delayed. There have been many examples of personal emergencies, traffic accidents, or heavy traffic causing late arrival or the inability to fulfil a shift. In the event all assigned primary volunteers are in place for their assigned shifts, Alternates will be released.
Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 or over, attend a virtual or in-person training session prior to tournament week, and complete a ShotLink disclosure form.
Shifts
The ShotLink Mobile Spotter Committee requires a minimum of two (2) shifts---one (1) training and one (1) regular shift. The definition of a “regular” shift is one (1) full day of tournament play.
Special Events (Invitation Only)
The Special Events committees’ volunteer opportunities range from ambassadors/information, hospitality hosts, admissions, and setup/tear down. There will be volunteer opportunities leading up to the concert(s) and other special events. Some tear-down and clean-up will be needed following the event(s). The volunteer times on the day of the show(s) are fluid.
Requirements
Committee members must be able to stand and walk for long periods, including the duration of the event(s).
Standard Bearers
Standard Bearers carry a scoring sign for player groups during their round (approximately 4.5 to 6.5 hours). You’ll have inside the ropes access as you walk 18 holes on the TPC San Antonio Oaks Course. You may also be selected to work as an Alternate or Relief Standard Bearer for one of your shifts.
Requirements
You must be at least 16 years old and know the game of golf. Students should not apply for this committee if unable to meet the Shifts requirement below.
Shifts
Standard Bearers must work a minimum of three (3) rounds; at least two (2) rounds must be on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday. Wednesday is required for all first-time Standard Bearers and encouraged for returning Standard Bearers. Shift times are AM or PM and you must be available one hour before your assigned tee times.
Training
First-time Standard Bearers require a 1.5 hour on-course training session, to be held the Saturday before the tournament.
Tournament Ambassadors
Tournament Ambassadors will be stationed at strategically placed kiosks around the golf course. They provide customer service to spectators by answering questions, providing directions, and helping to locate players using the PGA TOUR app on mobile devices.
Volunteer Services
The Volunteer Services committee is the hospitality component for our valued volunteers. They help create and maintain a volunteer registration process, as well as help execute volunteer badges and uniform distribution in the weeks before the tournament. They oversee the volunteer dining presentation and meal distribution during tournament week; keep the volunteer tent clean, organized, and inviting for volunteers seeking a break throughout the day. The use of a computer or iPad to scan barcodes to check volunteers in and out for their shifts may be required. Heavy lifting is required at times. While Volunteer Services provides a fast-paced work environment at key check-in and check-out times during the day, some downtime may occur.
Walking Scorers - Competition Support (Invitation Only)
The Walking Scorers committee will walk 18 holes inside the ropes with the professional golfers and requires mental and physical stamina, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of golf. Volunteers accompany groups of up to three (3) players to keep their score, track specific statistics, and provide real-time data capture that informs all aspects of the ShotLink system.
Requirements
Walking scorers should have the physical ability to easily keep pace with their group across all 18 holes without a break and in varying weather conditions. For reference, 18 holes will vary from 5-6 miles or roughly 10,000 steps. They should be comfortable using a handheld digital device to record each shot and the voice radio with a headset that allows for constant communication with the ShotLink staff.
Shifts
Must be available for the Wednesday pro-am and at least two (2) additional tournament days. Wednesday is required for all walking scorer volunteers.
Training
Walking Scorer volunteers must complete a mandatory 1-hour online PGA TOUR training course and a 1½ to 2 hour in-person or virtual training before tournament week.
Become a Volunteer
The Valero Texas Open wouldn’t be possible without the more than 2,000 volunteers that help put on the tournament. Because of their efforts, the Valero Texas Open is able to raise significant amounts of money for charity... a record-breaking $24M in 2024. Please help us give back to the community by becoming a volunteer.
