The Fun Side of Golf: Marshals of City Park Nine

If you have golfed at City Park Nine, you would have met them. Volunteers who love the sport, they are there to assist players and make it enjoyable for them. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Marshals of City Park Nine.

One Marshal (other golf courses might refer to them as Rangers or Player Assistants) is usually on-duty every day of the week from March to October. Their shift is about 6 hours a day, and for their effort, they get to play golf at a reduced rate at City Park Nine. Considering how often many of them play, it is an attractive benefit.

It is essential that these marshals have great people skill. Sometimes, they have to smooth out unpleasant incidents such as a drunken golfer who insists on driving the golf cart. Or they may encounter an angry driver whose windshield has just been hit by a golf ball.

Their knowledge is impressive too. Being in the golf cart for just fifteen minutes with Mike Krueger, one of the Marshals, I learned why pine needles are bad for the greens, how to inspect bridges (on the golf course) and how fast the city response is to clear a fallen tree.

Doug Perry, PGA Professional,
is in charge of the Marshals

From all the Marshals that I spoke to, it is easy to see that golf is their passion. When they talk about golf, their eyes light-up. Many of them played the game for many years. John Schmunk says he plays golf year-round. (Winter doesn’t stop him.) As long as the temperature is above 40F, he will consider being out there on the course.

If you love golf and have great people skill, then consider volunteering as a Marshal. You might not get a star-shaped badge like the old Wild West, but you get to help other golfers like these guys do and reduce the cost of playing golf.

Disclosure: Doug Perry, Frank Edgar and Steve Edgar are acquaintances of the writer.

Current Marshal

Former Marshal