Special volunteer
Javon Trout of Greensburg was all smiles as he worked the practice tee Monday morning at the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington. At 10, he’s classified as an “honorary volunteer’ but he’s as enthusiastic and dedicated as any volunteer you’ll find this week.
“They let me clean the balls and I rode on the picker,’ smiled Javon, referring to the machine that picks up balls after the players hit them on the green.
Officials are happy to have him around and volunteers are eager to point him out.
“His mother said he’s been very excited about this and will work sunup to sundown seven days a week and doesn’t care what he does,” Zelma Kassimer, charity and volunteer coordinator for the tournament, said. “He’s very personable and it’s hard to believe he’s 10.’
Javon is the son of Samantha Woody and Jason Trout and lives with his grandparents Dianne and Tom Haupt of Greensburg. He is also a cancer survivor.
“We found his tumor a month before he turned three,’ said Mrs. Haupt, who is accompanying her grandson at the 84 Lumber Classic throughout the week. Her husband will also be spending several days at the tournament.
Mrs. Haupt said the tumor was discovered after her grandson began having headaches. Doctors originally thought they were migraines but they did further study because Mrs. Haupt had had an aneurysm. She considers it a “blessing’ that the tumor was found early.
Javon received treatment at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh that included surgery a week after he turned three and chemotherapy. Now Javon has check ups every six months.
But this week, Javon and his family are just thinking about golf, which is his passion.
“I was here two years ago to watch,’ said Javon of the 84 Lumber Classic.
“We sat at the 18th green. It was the best spot,’ said Mrs. Haupt. “John Daly gave him a golf ball. He has Steve Flesch’s glove. He got a ball from Shigeki Maruyama.’
Elsewhere, Javon has also had the chance to meet Greensburg native Rocco Mediate and golf legend Arnold Palmer in Latrobe.
This week, he’s looking forward to seeing Daly and Michelle Wie.
“He swings like John Daly,’ said Mrs. Haupt.
Javon has been swinging a golf club since he was two.
“At the time, my mom and dad golfed. My husband golfs and everyone gives kids golf clubs,’ said Mrs. Haupt.
Javon said he enjoys the sport “a lot. I shoot 79s and 80s and 81.’
Asked what he likes about golf, Javon said, “Making eagles and birdies and pars and hitting the long ball.’
Javon is encouraging his friends to try the sport, recently recruiting four to play golf.
This week, Javon is staying at Seven Springs resort. He was up at 6 a.m. and at the tournament by 8 a.m. A fifth-grade cyber school student, Javon has brought work with him, making this a very busy week. He plans to volunteer through Sunday.
And he’s enjoying himself. Mrs. Haupt spoke of how kind the staff and other volunteers have been to Javon.
“They’re nice,’ Javon commented.
“Miss Zelma is very nice,’ said Mrs. Haupt.
And watching the pros play, Javon dreams of joining their ranks someday.
“I want to be a professional so I can get a lot of money and a lot of trophies,’ Javon said.
“You have a lot of trophies,’ said Mrs. Haupt.
Answered Javon, “I’ll get more.’