The award-winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA has opened registration for its popular volunteers programme ahead of the tournament from January 18-21, 2018.
The pristine Abu Dhabi Golf Club will once again play host to the ‘best of the best’ next year, where volunteers will not only have a chance to get inside the ropes with the likes of reigning champion Tommy Fleetwood, world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and super Swede Henrik Stenson, but there’s also a host of other exciting incentives.
Accepted volunteers will be briefed before the event and will receive their championship uniform to wear throughout the week while they work.
Marshals, mobile scoreboard operators and walking scorers are just a few of the roles volunteers can take on, providing a unique insight into this world-class event in the UAE capital.
2015 winner Gary Stal with young volunteers
Apart from the delicious all-day catering, drinks and snacks are available at the Volunteers HQ. After each shift the volunteers will receive a voucher to spend at the food trucks in the Championship Village.
A Certificate of Service will be given to each volunteer once the championship is over and they can attend the post-event party (over-18’s only) at the volunteer tent, as well as a have their photo taken with the 2018 winner.
Peter German, the championship’s tournament director said: “With each year we offer the volunteers programme and the great opportunities available, its popularity grows. The volunteers play a key role in helping us deliver a successful tournament year on year, so we’re thankful to all those – both living in the UAE and from abroad – who have participated in the past. And to those for this year’s championship I look forward to welcoming you all in January.”
Quiet please! Volunteers at work during the 2017 championship
One such dedicated volunteer was Bernard Dowling, a 79-year-old who has volunteered at every championship since its inception and has flown from the UK to do so.
His role each year was to collect the bibs off players and caddies after they finish on the 18th, but this year Dowling has also decided to hang up his own bib, making the 2017 edition his final championship.