June 27, 2008
For many people, volunteerism is an act of contributing to an organization, but for Canada native Velma Quon, it is the trip of a lifetime. Quon was planning to celebrate her 45th birthday with a golfing trip to the United States when she stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity. She was researching the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and planning her itinerary, when she noticed the Navistar LPGA Classic.

Scheduled for September 22 - 28, the tournament happens to fall in the middle of her trip to the states. Having volunteered for a 1998 tournament in Canada, Quon knew that the Navistar LPGA Classic would be a great addition to her trip, not to mention a perfect way to experience the LPGA players and the game of golf. Quon, who has never played golf in the United States, will spend the week prior to the tournament enjoying three Robert Trent Jones courses, including Grand National, Silver Lakes, and Cambrian Ridge. She will then travel to Montgomery to begin her LPGA experience. After the tournament, Quon plans to spend a week working for Habitat for Humanity.

“I thought the tournament would be a perfect way to meet new people, including the golfers,” Quon said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the players in person. I’m excited to see each of their golf swings, not to mention how they all dress.”

Also traveling to Alabama this year will be Oliver Roosevelt III. Roosevelt, a descendent of President Theodore Roosevelt, will be more focused on golf than politics in September. He will travel to Alabama to volunteer his time in the LPGA events in Mobile and Prattville. Roosevelt did the same thing last year and is coming back for more.

As a resident of Clinton, S.C., Roosevelt was visiting family in Alabama when he noticed the advertisements for the tournament asking for volunteers. Roosevelt considers himself a big fan of the LPGA. He decided that volunteering in the tournaments would be a great way to experience the game and the players first hand. The son of longtime fine arts editor and music critic for the Birmingham News and a classical music icon, Oliver Roosevelt, Jr,, he signed up to volunteer in media relations for tournaments last year in Prattville, Mobile and Birmingham. He says that he considers traveling to these tournaments a vacation.

This year he plans to continue his volunteer efforts at the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville and at the Bell Micro LPGA Classic in Mobile. Roosevelt claims all of the Solheim team members, Paula Creamer in particular, as his favorite players. He also plans to broaden his volunteer efforts by traveling to the Solheim Cup in Illinois.

“I was fortunate enough to meet Paula’s [Creamer] parents in Mobile last year,” says Roosevelt. “On this particular day, Paula started behind the leaders, but after she birdied the last seven holes, she was tied for the lead. After she finished the 18th hole, I was assigned to pick her up and give her a ride back to the clubhouse. She claimed that she needed to go and practice. She was genuinely surprised when I informed her that she was now tied for the lead. I was excited when she went on to win the tournament.”

Prattville resident, Larry Deavers, is no stranger to the Navistar tournament. He has been volunteering in the tournament for several years and this year will serve as one of the marshal chairpersons. He claims that the atmosphere and the people keep him coming back year after year. Deavers is impressed every year with how friendly and polite the LPGA players are to the staff, the fans and to each other. He says they continually encourage one another during the tournament and show their appreciation to the crowd and volunteers.

Deavers says that volunteering is something that you do not have to be a golfer to enjoy. He encourages all Prattville residents to participate in the tournament. According to him, it is a worthwhile commitment not only to the LPGA but to the Prattville community as well.

“I like being able to do something for the community,” says Deavers. “It’s worth the commitment, and all of the players are so friendly and appreciative. The tournament really puts Prattville on the map and gives the community a real opportunity to contribute.”

How to Volunteer
People can volunteer for the Navistar LPGA Classic by applying online.

A volunteer package includes one volunteer play day voucher (with a minimum of three shifts), five complimentary good any day tickets, one lunch voucher, a volunteer uniform, one complimentary official tournament program, and one volunteer badge.

About the Navistar LPGA Classic
The Navistar LPGA Classic is a multimillion dollar event showcasing a full field of professional LPGA golfers. The 2008 tournament will be held September 22 - 28 on the Senator Course at the Capitol Hill location on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The event is sponsored by Navistar and will be one of two LPGA tournaments played on the RTJ Golf Trail this year.

Media Contact:
Bill Lang, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, (205) 298-7128; bill.lang@pchresorts.com.
Interviews with Quon, Roosevelt, Deavers, and other volunteers and tournament officials can be arranged.