Graeme’s major year

Two majors down and two to go.

Graeme Roberts, deputy course manager (equivalent to assistant superintendent) at Camberley Heath Golf Club, Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom, is a volunteer on the maintenance crew at Whistling Straits for the PGA Championship. He also made the trip “across the pond” to be at Chambers Bay earlier this year to volunteer at the U.S. Open.

The 27-year-old Roberts, a second-generation “greenskeeper,” has made it a personal goal to work at all four of golf’s major tournaments before he turns 30. His love of volunteering at tournaments began back at the 2008 U.S. Amateur hosted at Pinehurst No. 2.

“I went to Pinehurst and it was just going to the course that really got me inspired with the tournament work,” says Roberts. “Just being a part of a huge team and the course being the best that it can be. It was so much fun, the networking was great. I really just try to do as much as I can with that.”

He has made a serious commitment to the goal and time or money has not stood in his way. When it comes to financing these trip Roberts has been the lone benefactor and he has had to use some vacation time to volunteer at both tournaments. Luckily his course sees the benefits of sending one of its assistants to volunteer at these events.

“Because of what I can learn working here I’ve made agreement with my course where they will give me extra time off as well,” says Roberts. “I don’t typically use vacation time but this year I will take a few because I’m doing two tournaments.”

A question Roberts says he often gets asked is how has he been able to volunteer at such high profile courses and events and his response is simple, “Just ask.”

“A lot of places I have gone I’ve just sent the superintendent an email and the absolute worst thing they can say is no,” says Roberts. “More often than not I haven’t had that yet because they appreciate the fact that you want to give up your time to help them out, it’s a great chance to take.”