VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
#VolunteerInsider
October Edition 2016
January 16 - 22, 2017
WELCOME
A Message from our Tournament Services Manager
Hello,
The weather is slowly starting to change as fall has arrived! Tournament preparations are well
under way and we look forward to having you all back in the desert soon. Thank you to all
those who have registered for the upcoming 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge! If you have not yet
registered, now is the perfect time as committees are quickly filling up. We currently have over
600 new and returning registered volunteers!
As you will read in this newsletter, we have a fantastic Volunteer Package this year at a reduced
rate, special hotel rates for volunteers, one key leadership position available, a new committee to
fill and details on the return of the 2017 PGA TOUR Volunteer Challenge.
As always if you know someone who might be interested in joining our team, please
have them visit our website at www.CareerBuilderChallenge.com or contact me
at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Kristi Hanousek
Tournament Services Manager
CareerBuilder Challenge
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION AND UPDATES
2017 PGA TOUR VOLUNTEER CHALLENGE
We are excited to announce the return of the PGA TOUR Volunteer Challenge! This dynamic
program has the potential to not only significantly enhance Desert Classic Charities’ charitable
contribution to local causes, but also help us enhance the volunteer experience.
Scheduled to take place at 16 PGA TOUR tournaments in 2017, including the CareerBuilder
Challenge, the PGA TOUR Volunteer Challenge is a fun, friendly vote-for-me competition designed
to raise funds for charity while recognizing the talent, passion and commitment of PGA TOUR
volunteers in communities nationwide. To participate, registered PGA TOUR tournament volunteers
invite their friends and family members to visit www.PGATOUR.com/Volunteers and vote for them
as their favorite tournament volunteer commencing November 7, 2016. At the end of the voting
period on Saturday of tournament week, the volunteer with the most votes earns the opportunity
to present a check for $10,000 in his or her name to the charity of their choice from a list selected
by the tournament. In addition, tournaments have the opportunity to earn up to an additional
$55,000 in charitable bonus funds based on the total number of votes earned collectively by the
tournament.
We are asking for everyone’s help and support to make this program a huge success. Additionally,
there will be a chance for team participation (up to four) and individual participation. There will
also be reward incentives for all those who participate, including the opportunity to have your
volunteer administration fee waived and the winner or team winners will attend the award ceremony
on Saturday night to participate in the check presentation to the tournament by the program
sponsor, Myrbetriq. This is a great opportunity to make a donation to charity in your name, while
helping Desert Classic Charities make an even greater impact on our community. This program is
open to all US residents and Canada (excluding Quebec).
Additional information will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, please feel free to visit
www.PGATOUR.com/volunteers to learn
more about the program. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me at
[email protected].
WINNER OF THE
2016 PGA TOUR VOLUNTEER CHALLENGE
JOHN HAMALIUK
The 2017 Volunteer Package consists of the following:
• Nike Golf Shirt
• Nike 1/2 Zip Jacket
• Hat or Visor
• One (1) Volunteer Badge
• One (1) Guest Badge – Please note: Minimum 3 days volunteering required.
• Parking Pass
• Commemorative Pin
• CareerBuilder Challenge Tote
• Breakfast, coffee, lunch and beverage
• Daily refreshment after shift
• Golf Certificate – One (1) round of golf @ discounted rate of Fifty Percent (50%)
We are excited to be able to offer this enhanced package at a reduced fee of $30 to all our
volunteers! The colors for volunteer uniform tops are royal blue, to be worn with Khaki pants,
capris, skirts or skorts. Please remember, shorts may not be worn.
Please remember all volunteers must wear the official 2017 CareerBuilder
Challenge uniform while working during the tournament. No past Bob Hope,
Humana Challenge or Clinton Foundation logoed clothing will be permitted.
PLEASE NOTE: Nike sizes for women are running on the small side. If you
wish to change your size, please return to the registration site, enter your
Username, Password and click on “my questions & answers”. Please make
any changes directly via the registration site:
http://events.trustevent.com/index.cfm?eid=2353
CareerBuilder Challenge Website
The CareerBuilder Challenge website is your go-to resource for all volunteer information! If you are
looking for information on uniform distribution, training schedules, volunteer leadership, committee
descriptions or general tournament information, please check out our website regularly for new
details! www.CareerBuilderChallenge.com
Uniform distribution, training schedules and volunteer leadership will be announced in November!
Special Hotel Rate Information:
For those of you who will be coming from out of town and are in need of hotel accommodations,
we are pleased to offer a limited number of hotel rooms at a discounted rate. If you are interested,
please contact the Holiday Inn Express directly, as soon as possible, as rooms will fill up quickly:
Holiday Inn Express – Palm Desert
74675 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.340.4303
*Reservations must be made no later than January 2, 2017 and reference block code HCG. Rate is
$99.00 per night plus tax.
Attention Returning Walking Scorers and Shotlink:
All returning volunteers from the 2016 tournament will have until November 15 to register. After
that date, we will begin filling vacant positions from our wait list. Positions are limited on these
committees so be sure to register as soon as possible. All new and returning volunteers on these
committees must attend training sessions and are required to work 3 or 4 days, depending on
committee and course assignment.
Address Updates: In order to keep our records up to date and keep you informed, please let me
know if your email address, telephone number and/or mailing address has changed since the
conclusion of the 2016 tournament. You can contact me at [email protected]
with any changes.
New Committee:
Volunteer Challenge –
This committee will be responsible for assisting patrons, tournament spectators, and fellow
volunteers in voting for the PGA TOUR Volunteer Challenge. Assist on-site, be able to explain
the PGA TOUR Volunteer Challenge to tournament guests, and use an IPad to register and help
spectators vote. Volunteers are required to work three to four days (Wednesday – Saturday) at
the Stadium Course at PGA WEST only.
Sign up today for a spot on this team! Joining this committee is a great way to meet people, enjoy
the tournament site and help our charities!
Leadership Positions:
Thank you to all who contacted me regarding the available leadership positions for the 2017
tournament. We had an incredible response to our call for leaders. I am happy to say we have
filled almost all the positions. See below for one remaining important leadership position:
Volunteer Challenge – Leader and Assistant Leader needed Contact Marla Riley at
[email protected] or contact Kristi Hanousek at [email protected]
Tickets are on sale now!.
Changes are coming in 2017: A new and expanded tournament entry, fan zones and fan hospitality
options. Stay tuned in for more exciting details in the coming months.
DID YOU KNOW:
ARNOLD PALMER – FIVE FUN FACTS
1. He designed the Palmer Course at PGA WEST, which was in our tournament rotation from 1988 - 2015.
2. He is the only sports figure to have both a Congressional Gold Medal and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
3. He won seven major championships, including winning the Bob Hope Classic 5 times.
4. He played in 42 desert golf events in 43 years - the last year he played he shot a 79 his last round
which matched his age.
5. You can order an Arnold Palmer and restaurants worldwide will pour you a half-iced tea, half lemonade.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Debbi Smolich
Debbi Smolich is not your ordinary volunteer. Debbi currently is the
Marshal Chair for the CareerBuilder Challenge and is entering her tenth
year with the tournament. Debbi oversees approximately 12 committees.
This huge undertaking is not just a job or a volunteer position, it is her
passion. Debbi spends countless hours before, during and long after the
tournament taking care of every detail to make sure all volunteers have
the best experience possible. Debbi started with this tournament as a
hospitality leader, moved to a marshal position, which she loved, and has
spent the last 3 years as the Chair of the Marshal Committee.
“This tournament is my favorite thing to do, it is my ‘charity of choice’” says Debbi. “I love the
excitement of the tournament, working with wonderful people, fellow volunteers and the charities.
There is not one thing I do not like about working with this event”.
Debbi’s most memorable tournament moment occurred during the 2014 event where she gave
Phil Mickelson a ride to his car each day during the tournament. However, Debbi’s favorite moment
occurred last year when she was able to honor volunteer Andy Vitaljic for 40 years of service to this
tournament. Debbi is looking forward to having more fun in 2017, new challenges and reuniting with
tournament friends. We are very grateful for Debbi and the expertise and dedication she brings to the
CareerBuilder Challenge.
WHY VOLUNTEER
“There’s no right or wrong reason to volunteer, just like there’s no right or wrong organization
to volunteer for. Everyone fits in somewhere. No matter what your interests or skill sets are,
somebody is waiting eagerly for you to sign up as a volunteer.”
~Author Unknown~
KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING
If you have a family member or friend interested in volunteering for the 2017 CareerBuilder
Challenge, please encourage them to visit our website at www.CareerBuilderChallenge.com or
contact Kristi Hanousek, Tournament Services Manager at [email protected].
You may view and print the Volunteer Insider newsletters via the volunteer section of our
website at www.CareerBuilderChallenge.com.
NEXT EDITION OF THE VOLUNTEER INSIDER NEWSLETTER will come out in November!
Watch for it!! Don’t forget to register.!
DON’T FORGET TO LIKE US ON