Thursday's Internet Edition, September 02, 2010.

Volunteer marshals Debbie and John Varda watch the action on hole No. 12 during the Greenbrier Classic golf tournament. Photo by Jim Cooper

Especially when you’re inside the ropes with the PGA TOUR pros.

“Several times they came pretty close to hitting us,” Debbie Varda said. “You had to be aware.”

Fortunately, Debbie and her husband, John, came away unscathed from their service as course marshals during last week’s inaugural Greenbrier Classic. The Spencer residents were among about 2,100 people from 22 states who volunteered to work the tournament on the famed Old White course at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs.

The Vardas, avid golfers and members of the W.Va. Golf Association, responded last year to an email seeking volunteers. They attended a three-hour training session at the course a couple of weeks before the tournament and paid an $85 fee.

Paying to volunteer is an interesting concept, but the Vardas did receive an official Ralph Lauren tournament shirt, jacket and hat. Also, their service got them two free rounds of golf each and a discounted stay at the resort.

“It was definitely worth it,” John said.

Their tournament accommodations were not quite as plush as those offered by The Greenbrier.

“We had quite a time,” Debbie, 50, said. “We ended up camping, and we’re not campers per se.”

Rooms for miles around were booked long before the tournament. The Vardas reserved a camp site about three and a half miles from The Greenbrier and stayed in Debbie’s dad’s camper.

“It turned out fine,” she said.

Their week started Monday and continued through Sunday, the tournament’s final round. The first three days were more relaxed, with practice rounds and pro-ams, before things became all business on Thursday, the first official day of the event.

John, 58, said he signed up to be a marshal because it offered a chance to watch the players from just a few feet away. He was designated as hole captain on No. 12, a 568-yard par 5, and wore a headset to be in constant communication with other tournament officials. Debbie worked on the same hole, holding up signs to indicate the direction a tee shot was going, when it was clear to hit and to quiet fans around the green.

Two former Spencer residents, Ben Ashley and Bruce Williams, also worked as volunteers, following groups and recording shots on PalmPilots.

John and Debbie worked an 11-hour shift one day, with a lunch break, but typically were on duty from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“I gained more respect for the pros,” John, who had attended several PGA tournaments in the past as a spectator, said. “That’s their office out there. We weren’t allowed to talk to them unless they talked to us, but we were up close and personal.”

John said he enjoyed hearing players discuss club selection with their caddies. During a rain delay on Thursday, he gave Jim Furyk and his caddie, Mike “Fluff” Cowan a cart ride back to the course. He said he and Furyk talked a little about Furyk attending a couple of WVU football games each year.

“They were really nice,” he said.

A different caddy scolded him, John said.

“A guy lost his ball up by the green and had to walk back to the middle of the fairway to hit again,” John explained. “Tim Herron’s caddy yelled at me to make sure the next group wouldn’t be hitting into them from off the tee. I had already called them about it up on the tee. I told (the caddy), ‘I’ve got it covered, buddy.’”

Pro Willis Ring joked with Debbie, sarcastically thanking her for fluffing up his lie when he hit it in the rough. She said her highlight was giving the all clear sign to Sergio Garcia so he could tee off.

“I like Sergio a lot,” Debbie said. “I always have. He’s pretty exciting to watch.”

John said he was impressed when he overheard a NASCAR driver playing in the pro-am talk about buying a $450,000 special order Lexus, but was more dazzled by the golf on display. Debbie agreed, noting how long the players could hit it off the tee.

“Whether it was on the tee or the middle of the fairway or watching them chip and putt, I was in awe of how they knew exactly where they wanted to hit it, and then could execute it,” she said.

John said tournament officials had already asked the couple to return for next year’s event, and have even asked their input on how to make things run more smoothly.

Maybe helmets for marshals to wear, especially during the pro-ams?

“I almost took one in the nose there,” he joked. “But it was fun. I’d do it again next week after I got rested up.”