by Fred Seely, Editor
Linda George has volunteered with the Players golf championship for so long that:
• Three of her committees no longer exist.
• She can't remember her first year.
• Neither can the tournament.
The Legends of Real Estate agent got her start with the Greater Jacksonville Open in what she calls her "second career" as a volunteer in the golf tournament here.
As best that she can recall, her first year was 1971 (" ... or was it 1972?") at Hidden Hills, the seventh GJO. The tournament records reflect only that she's been volunteering over 40 years, and she may be the one with the most years of service spanning the old GJO and now the Players, which will be May. 9-12 at the TPC Sawgrass.
"I started in Script," she said. That no longer exists: the tournament now uses cash or credit cards instead of having patrons buy funny money to purchase food, beverage or souvenirs.
A few years of that, and she moved on.
"The next was Leaderboards. We had names and numbers on magnetic strips, and we would put them on the boards. They stuck so tight that we had to bring spatulas to get them off." No more: the Tour's leaderboards today are all electronic.
Her outgoing personality got her started on choice assignments and the first was being a hostess in the Stadium Club, an open-to-all tent where patrons could buy drinks and relax. Long gone: that frequently-rowdy club has been replaced by more sophisticated hospitality venues.
Oh, and along the way she was involved in putting on the annual Volunteer Party. Not now: that's since been taken over by the tournament office.
Then she was placed into things that still exist. First, working in the Media Center and, today, a leader on the team that services the hospitality areas that cover the hill above the 17th hole.
Sounds good, huh? Maybe not.
"We start at 9 a.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and stay until 30 minutes after play ends," she said. 'We have to greet guests, check credentials and make sure they're quiet when a ball is being hit. Some days, I don't see a single golf shot.
"But I love it. I meet people and it's a great atmosphere."
Her real job is selling homes through The Legends of Real Estate, with her office on Jacksonville's southside. She's been there two years after two stints at Watson Realty, and site agent duties at Deercreek (where she lives) and Queen's Harbour.
No golf for her, though.
"It's a great regret that I didn't get into it more than just casually," she said. "When you're busy, you simply can't find the time."