Oregon Golf Association Honor Volunteers

Each year the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) recognizes the contributions made by its volunteers for their contributions to the organization and the game of golf with the Bill Worden Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The award was named in honor of Worden who was the tragic victim of a traffic accident while on a course rating trip in 2005. "Bill epitomized what volunteering and giving back to the sport is all about," noted OGA Executive Director Jim Gibbons. "We are blessed to have a large group of devoted volunteers caring enough about the game of golf to invest countless hours ensuring each tournament or golf course rating is conducted at the highest level," he added.

This year, the OGA recognized Teri Melnichuk of Milwaukie, Ore. as OGA Volunteer of the Year. Teri and her husband Steve have been volunteering with the OGA for more than twelve years, mostly with the TAG Team (Tournament Assisting Group).

"I like every aspect of volunteering with the OGA," said Melnichuk. "No one job is better than the other, but I truly have a soft spot in my heart for junior golf. I see what my husband got back from being a teacher…and seeing young kids grow and mature has been amazing."

In addition to her work at tournaments, Melnichuk also helped represent the OGA at the Portland Golf Show and was instrumental in helping roll out ExploreOregonGolf.com – a new comprehensive online golf course, golf club and golf event directory developed in cooperation with Travel Oregon.

In addition to Volunteer of the Year, other volunteers were selected as honorees including Mark Reed of West Linn, Ore., Owen Osborne of Black Butte, Ore. and Deb Bartel of Woodburn, Ore.

Reed is one of fifteen volunteers who serve on the OGA Executive Committee. During the past year, Reed worked extensively with the staff of both the OGA and OGA Golf Course developing the association's long range vision and its plan to better serve the golf community.

Osborne was recognized for his contributions assisting the OGA in rating nearly every course scheduled for evaluation this year. Course rating teams assist the OGA in measuring, compiling and analyzing the physical attributes more than 25 golf courses in Oregon and Southwest Washington each year providing each course with accurate measurements, course and slope ratings to ensure that players of differing abilities have equitable course handicaps and are able to participate in enjoyable and competitive games.

Bartel was one of the most active volunteers in her rookie season. She volunteered her time over multiple days at the Portland Golf Show and entering data into the ExploreOregonGolf website and made herself available for many events outside of the Portland area where the OGA generally finds itself short-staffed. Regardless of the task, Bartel was always eager to help.