BENTON HARBOR — The PGA of America announced that more than 1,300 volunteer positions have been filled to work the 75th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid.

The Championship will be conducted May 20-25, 2014, at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor and The PGA is seeking 700 more volunteers for the most historic and prestigious event in senior golf.

The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid will make its second appearance at Harbor Shores since 2012, when more than 2,000 volunteers representing 27 states and one Canadian province, helped promote Southwest Michigan’s first senior major championship.

Tickets sales begin this fall for the 2014 Senior PGA Championship.

“The PGA of America’s volunteer program allows citizens in our immediate and surrounding communities to be a part of this major sporting event,” said General Chairman Jeff Noel. “This is a great opportunity for people to get involved in the championship and to contribute to its success.”

In 2012, the Senior PGA Championship created 250 temporary jobs, while the City of Benton Harbor and Harbor Shores received nearly $8 million in combined branding exposure based upon a post-championship study.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of a golf championship, and they become the personal touch that elevates the overall experience for everyone – from the competitors to the spectators,” said Senior PGA Championship Director Jeff Hintz. “Harbor Shores was the scene of an exceptional story in 2012 with Roger Chapman stunning the golf world. Spectators and volunteers shared in a new chapter of golf history, and I am confident that the great sports fans of Southwest Michigan will respond to the call for volunteers again.  We encourage you to register as soon as possible.”

Volunteers receive access to the grounds through a PGA volunteer credential for all six days of championship week. Adult volunteers are required to contribute 16 hours of time, and should be flexible in assisting the needs of their assigned committee before, during and after the championship. All volunteer positions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
For many, the volunteer experience has created a series of special memories.

“It’s been pretty unbelievable,” Dave Daniels, of Dowagiac, said following the 2012 tournament. “Just to walk the course with the players. To see the shots. To get a pairing with Fred Couples and Kenny Perry, I’m probably one of the luckiest guys in Michigan right now. When they were teeing off down wind, some of the shots were cannon shots,” he said. “They were unbelievably long.

“You have been able to ask them questions like are these greens anything like the Masters? They said no they are not, the Masters are twice as fast as these. Just to get some insight on the clubs that they are hitting and the yardages and everything that goes on on the course. It was just a lot of fun.”

Committees in need of volunteers range from player transportation, leaderboards, golf shop operations and contestant evacuation. Volunteers would fill a variety of positions at the second-ever Senior PGA Championship to be conducted at Harbor Shores. General public registration is now underway. Each volunteer would pay a $130 fee to receive:

• An official Senior PGA Championship uniform including 75th Senior PGA Championship shirt, wind jacket and hat/visor

• Official 75th Senior PGA Championship Journal

• A one-time $10 discount at the Championship Golf Shop

• Preferred parking

• Food and water vouchers

• One ‘Any Day’ ticket for a friend or family member

• One (1) round of golf (cart rental not included), at Harbor Shores if all assigned shifts are completed*

* On redemption, a $25 cart fee will be collected by the club. The round is transferable as a gift (not for sale) and expires Nov. 1, 2014. Some date restrictions apply.

To register as a volunteer, visit spga2014.com or contact the championship office at (269) 487-3200.