BANGOR, Maine — Brian Lee of Bangor hopes to draw something out of the U.S. Open Golf Championship next month, even if it’s not Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or any of the other players.
The 35-year-old designer/drafter at The Fitch Co. in Bangor is getting an up-close look as he volunteers at the U.S. Open in Farmingdale, N.Y. He would like to translate that experience into something that will help his own event, the Lee Golf Scramble, a few days later.
The 109th U.S. Open is June 15-21 at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, while the second Lee Golf Scramble is June 26 at Bangor Municipal Golf Course.
He believes that through his U.S. Open experience he can pick up some tidbits on how to improve his tournament.
“I’ll be working the volunteer hospitality tent and see how the professionals do it,” said Lee. “Then I’ll see how I can apply that to my tournament to make it more fun, better.”
One of the aspects he would like to see, “is how the [United States Golf Association] treats sponsors,” Lee said of the group which conducts the U.S. Open.
“The hardest part is going out and finding sponsors,” admitted Lee. “You learn how to do it and make the time to do it.”
Granville Rental is donating the tent, chairs, etc. for the post-tourney lunch.
“Right now they’re our biggest sponsor,” said Lee.
The goal of the Lee Golf Scramble is to raise money for the Penobscot County Special Olympics. Last year’s inaugural event about broke even, but with more experience under their belts, they’re hoping to do much better this year.
“I think each year it’ll get better,” he said.
“Andrea and I had done our own friends and family tournament the first five years of out marriage. We’d get 36 or 40 people,” said Lee. “Then we came up with the idea to hold a tournament to help someone else out.”
They chose Special Olympics because of the intellectual and competitive outlet it gives competitors.
“Golf does the same for me,” said Lee, “and volunteering is a chance to give back to the game.”
The Lee Scramble will have an 8 a.m. shotgun start, followed by lunch and the awards ceremony.
“Special Olympians will give out the awards,” said Lee. “It’s kind of a role reversal and it’s another way to get them involved.”
The entry fee is $80 per person, but it’s only $70 for those who sign up by June 1. Checks should be made payable to Penobscot County Special Olympics Golf, c/o Carol Ryan — Treasurer, P.O. Box 215, Holden, ME 04429. Call 843-6077 for more info.
Lee just returned from an orientation session for the U.S. Open, driving to Long Island and back for a one-hour presentation and to pick up his information packet and volunteer clothing. Making the trip better was the fact his father-in-law lives on Long Island, about a half-hour from the golf course.
Lee’s status as a volunteer is a relative term in two ways.
First, his wife “volunteered” him. She also intended to volunteer herself, but “she realized school was still in session, so she couldn’t go,” he said.
In addition, he had to pay $150 to be a volunteer. Part of that covers the cost of two shirts and a jacket for his job, but it’s something else that makes the fee worthwhile.
“It’s a small drop in the bucket for all the golf I’ll get to see,” he said, smiling.
He is scheduled to work four-hour shifts Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, leaving plenty of time each day to get out on the course, check on the players and catch final-round action.
On the days he doesn’t work, he can spend all day at the course, if he wants. He would like to get some signed items from the players to include as prizes for his scramble.
Bob Little Memorial set
The ninth Bob Little Memorial Golf Tournament will be held June 13 at Pine Hill Golf Club in South Brewer.
The three-player scramble has a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. It’s $45 per person, $40 if the team pays by May 31. For more info, call 989-3824.