To execute a professional golf tournament takes thousands of volunteers. Megan Gormley would know; she is the director of volunteers and corporate merchandise for the Western Golf Association (WGA), which is the company that is putting all of the logistical details together for the BMW Championship this month.

In what some have said was a record for any golf tournament, 2,300 volunteers signed up in three days for the BMW Championship. There is a volunteer waitlist of 743 people.

“In all the years I have been managing volunteer programs, I have never seen a response like this,” shared Megan. “The support of the local community and the state of Colorado was tremendous from the very beginning.” She added that she has been working for the past two years toward the BMW Championship.

“We have evaluated what our needs will be and where volunteers are needed throughout the property, including additional roles we needed to fill that would be specific to CPGC, since every course poses its own and new challenges,” added Megan.

Megan continued that she is also planning the training orientation for volunteers and is working to order their uniforms and credentials as well as creating a logistical layout for where volunteers are needed on the course for the five-day event. She admitted that it is challenging to manage that many people with many moving parts; the scheduling, communication and training are her key focuses.

Megan will be on site for the weeks leading up to the BMW Championship and will remain until the conclusion of the event. She said that the leadership at the CPGC and the community have been amazing to work with.

Roz Schroeder, resident in the Village and owner of Cielo at Castle Pines, was “happy the WGA was interested in having such a wonderful event venue as the administrative meeting place for volunteers and logistics for the tournament, as well as a place to potentially entertain the players,” she stated. “It’s exciting to be a part of something so special that showcases to the world the true beauty of Castle Pines and Colorado.”

During the tournament, Megan will wear many hats but will rely on her leadership team to help with the volunteers.

“I will be overseeing all the volunteers on property, check-in procedures and their assignments, volunteer headquarters, working directly with all the 60+ committee chairs to ensure their volunteers are working effectively in their designated areas and at the end of the day, ensuring all volunteers are having an enjoyable experience,” explained Megan. “I am incredibly lucky that we have such a wonderful team working on this event together,” she shared.

Born and raised in Sacramento, Megan graduated from California State University, Chico. She hails from a golf family: her mom, dad and brothers play, and she does too, when she can make it work with her schedule.

After college, Megan landed an internship at the 2015 U.S. Senior Open and then was offered a full-time position working on the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open. Subsequently, she has moved around the country working professional golf events.

“I had fantastic mentors early on to whom I really owe so much of my career,” concluded Megan. “I feel incredibly lucky to be doing something I love, with great people, for a wonderful organization. I don’t see myself doing anything else!”

 

By Hollen Wheeler; photo courtesy of Megan Gormley