David Manners stood on the same Greystone course 27-years ago, when the PGA’s Champions Tour made its first stop in Birmingham. That year, he volunteered as a marshal. Every year since, he has been on the driving range and, for the last eight years, has served as a Committee Chair.
This year though, Manners’ title goes beyond volunteer and chair: He is the Regions Tradition Volunteer of the Year.
The announcement came as a surprise to Manners.
“In a committee meeting before the tournament started, the volunteer coordinator started talking about the Volunteer of the Year and I didn’t give it a second thought,” Manners said.
When she called out his name, he looked around and said, “What is this?”
Manners believes that his 27-year stent as a volunteer is a big reason for the recognition. He loves his job, which he says is to make sure the professionals are happy on the driving range and the public knows who the golfers are when they are taking practice shots.
So what brings Manners back year after year? He says it is more than watching good golf. “One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is making the friendships I’ve made with the volunteers. Not to mention seeing the pros that come back year to year.”
Manners says he will be back next year and many years to come.
“The Regions Tradition is one of the best tournaments on the Champions Tour and I’m glad to be a very small part of it.”