Volunteers are the backbone of the Volvo Car Open

According to Jo Cooper, volunteer coordinator for the Volvo Car Open tennis tournament, it takes a lot of help from volunteers to ensure the success of a tennis tournament, especially one the size of the Volvo Car Open.

“More than 500 people volunteer their time at the Volvo Car Open. We could not do it without our dedicated volunteers. We have 350 people that work behind the scenes in one of 13 different departments,” states Cooper of the magnitude of what it takes to organize an event of this size.

Recruiting that many volunteers is quite a task. However, there are incentives that are given to help make the process a little easier. Though there is a fee of $60 to be a volunteer and each volunteer must work a minimum of 6 or 7 shifts, there are many extra perks depending on how many extra shifts you commit to. At minimum, all volunteers receive a uniform, a credential (which allows for admission to all nine day sessions), a hat, and two tickets to the PowerShares. But if you work more than the minimum number of shifts, extra tickets and even a debit card for food is given. That may be why so many volunteers come back year after year.

“We have 32 volunteers that have not missed a year since the tournament has been in Charleston. They have been helping us out for the past 16 years. This truly is a dedicated group of volunteers. Each year I look forward to finding out what has happened in their lives since the last tournament. Watching great tennis is a nice perk we all have in common,” Cooper says.

The people who are recruited to help with the tournament come from many different places. Daniel Island certainly provides a large number of volunteers based on the sheer convenience of location. Volunteers also come in various ages.

Daniel Island resident Don Rose may be 82 years old, but he loves the hustle and bustle of the Volvo Car Open tournament. So much so, he hasn’t missed a tournament in the 16 years that it has been here on Daniel Island. Most of those years he’s spent his volunteer hours within the transportation department. Rose enjoys there different jobs he gets to do every year.

“The variety of duties in the transportation department is enormous. I think the main purpose of the transportation department is to satisfy the needs of the players. We take them where ever they want to go in the Charleston area, whether it’s going for passport photos, visa, or simply shopping, as well as to the practice courts and of course back and forth to the hotels,” says Rose.

Another job, easily considered the most important job, is transporting the players to and from the airport. Rose looks forward to seeing the players each year, but notes that not all the rides are ‘good’ ones.

“The pick-ups are usually easy. The returns are more difficult because the younger players are disappointed when they lose in the first round and have to go on to their next tournament or go home. I call it the ‘The Trail of Tears.’ I always promise that we will see them next year and to practice,” says Rose of transporting the players to and from the airport.

Zack O’Dell, who will be volunteering for the first time this year also in the transportation department, is most looking forward the possibility of interacting with the European players. Having lived in Germany, O’Dell speaks German and also hold a German driver’s license.

“I hope to have the chance to converse in German with some of the German players during the tournament. As an American who has lived abroad it is always comforting to be able to speak one’s native language in a foreign country,” says O’Dell.

An equally important job lies within the Ball Crew department. With training sessions for volunteers beginning in late winter, the ball crew’s time commitment starts well before the tournament begins. But the opportunity to be close to the players makes finding volunteers relatively easy.

“Our Ball Crew team has 200 dedicated members that have been practicing since February. They enjoy up close and personal contact with our players,” says Cooper. Because the ball crew utilizes youth volunteers, it has been a great way for local Daniel Island kids to get involved with the tournament.

Zade Hyatt, 10, from Daniel Island, is in his second year volunteering for the tournament. Two years ago he was a ball crew member, then took last year off, and again is on the ball crew this year. “I like getting to be next to the pro tennis players,” says Zade, “And I don’t get nervous…I just focus on the things I’m supposed to do.”

Another young ball crew member this year is JD Sutterlin. His experience as a tennis player makes volunteering that much more exciting. When asked what he is looking forward to the most, he says “Watching the players up close and seeing their footwork and movement on the court.”

Again, the success of a well-put-together tournament is the hard work and dedication from many people in many different areas.

“All of our volunteers are vital to the success of the tournament,” Cooper says with gratitude!