Volunteers needed for 16th Annual Greater Cedar Rapids Open
Marion, Iowa // July 7, 2014
Planning for the 16th Annual Greater Cedar Rapids Open at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion, Iowa, is under way and volunteers are needed to help make this not-for-profit event a success.
The three-day tournament, which features aspiring men’s golf professionals, senior professionals and amateurs from around the world, is set to begin at 7 a.m., Thursday, July 24. The tournament will conclude on Saturday, July 26. This is the first time the tournament will end on Saturday.
Volunteers will receive a Greater Cedar Rapids Open T-Shirt and are needed during the tournament in the following areas: caddies, hospitality, flag persons, spotters, standard bearers, refreshments, etc. Volunteers are encouraged to attend a training and information session, which will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, July 14, at The Lodge at Hunters Ridge.
Those interested in being a caddy are required to attend one of the following training sessions: 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, or 3 p.m., Sunday, July 20.
Since its inception in 1999, the GCRO has awarded more than $116,000 to various non-profit organizations throughout the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor. Those groups include Camp Courageous, the Salvation Army, the Cedar Rapids Optimist Junior Golf Association, and The Boys and Girls Clubs.
In 2012, the GCRO extended its mission statement and committed to raising awareness about the prevention of melanoma – the most dangerous type of skin cancer. A portion of the funds raised through the tournament will be directed to The University of Iowa Foundation to benefit melanoma research at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The GCRO tournament helped launch the professional careers of 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2010 Puerto Rico Open Champion Derek Lamely of Fort Myers, Fla.; 2012 Puerto Rico Open Champion George McNeill of Omaha, Neb.; and PGA Tour Player Gary Christian of England.
For more information about the GCRO, visit www.gcropen.com. To volunteer, send an email to gcropen@gmail.com. You also may contact Jim McPartland at 319.310.5745.