Tournament extends hospital to handicapped
FARMINGTON – With thousands of spectators traipsing the grounds at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa each day during the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic, it would be easy for some slower moving people to get lost in the shuffle. But at Mystic Rock this weekend, tournament organizers went above and beyond the call of duty, working overtime to help handicapped and disabled spectators get a chance to enjoy all the golfing action.
Handicap committee chairman Gary Gearing said his group of 15-20 volunteers work operated about a dozen golf cart shuttles and three shuttle buses.
Gearing, who has chaired the committee all three years of the tournament, said the small crew, in comparison with the more than 1,500 that help direct the tournament each year, “moves thousands of people each day.”
Gearing manned the handicapped hospitality tent Saturday afternoon trying to coordinate his staff to accommodate an influx of spectators and attempting to get the electric carts charged.
The PGA does not allow gasoline-powered carts because the electric carts are silent.
Gearing said that while the shuttles are primarily reserved for handicapped persons, many other spectators use the service after becoming fatigued or walking too far.
“By the end of the day, around 4 p.m., everyone is handicapped,” Gearing said as he coordinated his crew by headset. “We move a lot of people.”
Kathy Bush, who volunteers to help the handicapped with her husband, Larry, said shuttling disabled spectators is very rewarding because the people are appreciative of the service.
“We help them in any way we can,” Bush said, who worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. “We get tired but it is very rewarding.”
“We are very busy,” Bush said, as she helped two people from a cart into chairs to await shuttles back to their vehicles Friday afternoon.
Bush said there are nine areas that have been designated handicapped accessible on the course ranging from greens to tee boxes and that each area is equipped with an attendant to help with any needs the spectators might have, including food service.
“They just let them know when they are ready to leave or move to another spot and they call us when they are ready,” Bush said.
Bush said on Saturday, more than 300 handicapped spectators and their families had already attended the event by 3 p.m.
And Bush said the handicapped shuttles also ran to the evening concerts, in addition to all the golf action.
All the carts used for handicapped shuttles are equipped with lifts on the back to accommodate spectators in wheelchairs.
“We absolutely love helping people,” Bush said. “Honestly, when we pick people up they cannot believe they can come to the golf tournament and find out that they can see everything and get out there just like everyone else. It is great for them and for us.”