Robert Davis began his association with The Players volunteering as a teenaged standard bearer.
This year he will coordinate the more than 2,000 volunteers who help make the annual golf event a showcase for the sport and the community.
Davis, 55, will serve as The Players 2013 tournament chairman and follow in the footsteps of his father, former State Rep. Don Davis, who served as the Senior Players Championship tournament chairman in 1988.
"He was there when I was selected vice chairman and that was a special moment for me," said Robert Davis, whose father died in 2008.
Robert Davis stressed how much of a team effort it is to produce The Players each year and how it would not be possible without the thousands of volunteers who donate their time.
The volunteers perform several functions, including guiding drivers as they park their cars, providing directions to the restrooms and food venues on the course, carrying signs to let people know what golfers are walking up the fairway and their scores and letting guests know when to be quiet when golfers are competing.
"It's a well-organized event with the right leadership in the right place," said Davis.
His leadership team — five vice chairmen report to the chairman — consists of First Vice Chairman Andy Baggs, Vice Chairman of Player Services Brian Franco, Vice Chairwoman of Spectator Services Michele McManamon, Vice Chairman Facilities Division Kevin English and Vice Chairman of Volunteer Services Damon Olinto.
From May 6-12, Davis expects to leave his condo near the course at about 4:30 a.m. and not return until about 10:30 p.m.
"It makes for some long days, but I enjoy every minute of it," said Davis.
Being named chairman isn't the only reason this will be special time at The Players for Davis.
He also will celebrate his 29th wedding anniversary on Mother's Day, the last day of the tournament.
"Sunday will be a big day," said Davis.
When not organizing large groups of volunteers, Davis works as executive vice president, sales and account management for Lender Processing Services Inc.
He is responsible for managing the growth of all of the Jacksonville-based company's client relationships and opportunities in the mortgage servicing industry.
People are sometimes confused about services offered by his employer.
"We don't lend any money," said Davis.
LPS is a provider of mortgage and consumer loan processing services, mortgage settlement services, default solutions and loan performance analytics, as well as solutions for the real estate industry, capital markets investors and government offices.
@photojoe71
(904) 356-2466