I’m retiring early this year and have been thinking about
volunteering with the CGA. What are my options, the qualifications and, of
course, the benefits? I’m not a great player, but I really enjoy the game.
First of all, congratulations! Not just for retiring, but for seeing a world beyond your own golf game. Volunteerism benefits not just the people you’re helping; it rewards you with a sense of purpose, meaning and community. Volunteer with the nonprofit CGA and you can count on all of that, plus perks that might include a uniform, free sandwiches and new friends along the way.
And congratulations for seeing beyond the narrow scope of course raters and rules officials. Those are, of course, both important volunteer roles that require training and commitment. Course raters are the only volunteers with a minimum index; they need to have (or at least once had) handicaps of 18 and below. Read about their typical day in A First Rate Job. And the life of a CGA rules official/guru/nerd is explored in the January CGA Monthly or the February Spirit of the Game Podcast. If that floats your boat, check out this introduction to rules volunteerism and consider attending a 2024 rules education session, either virtual or in person.
But the CGA does so much more than rate courses and oversee competitions. It runs Women’s Playing Clinics, Women’s Practice Clinics and Member Play Days, all of which require volunteer help in various locations around the state. Those would be Member Programs Volunteers.
People who enjoy working with young people might like to train the student caddies at CommonGround, host school field trips or engage in community programming for Special Olympics, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, HopeKids or scouts. Those would be Community Programs Volunteers.
You can get started by filling out the CGA’s Volunteer Interest Form. Or, for more information, take a look at the Staff Directory and see whose duties align with your interests and skills. Send along an email or make a call to ask how you can help, and you’ll be on your way to an experience that rewards not only you but CGA members and the future of your game.
Molly McMulligan, created by golf journalist and CGA member Susan Fornoff, is the CGA’s on-the-course advisor on how to have more fun on the golf course. You don’t want to take swing lessons from Molly, but if you’ve got a question about etiquette, relationships or the culture of golf in Colorado, Molly will find the answer. Send your questions along here.
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