Spotlight: Volunteer of the Year Award | Professional Disc Golf Association

The world of disc golf owes a great debt to its unsung heroes: the volunteers who tirelessly work behind the scenes to build and grow the sport. Among them is Bill Newman, a 2019 PDGA Volunteer of the Year winner, who guides spectators at the prestigious Throw Pink Women's Disc Golf Championship with infectious enthusiasm.

For many of these dedicated individuals, their recognition as Volunteer of the Year is just one chapter in a lifelong commitment to disc golf. According to Dan "Stork" Roddick, a renowned player and PDGA #3 member, what sets these volunteers apart is their willingness to put in the hard work that often goes unnoticed. "They see something that needs doing and make it their own," he observes. "It's not just about playing the game; it's about building the community."

The PDGA Board of Directors carefully selects each year's Volunteer of the Year through a vote, recognizing an active member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the sport through volunteer work. Past winners include trailblazers like Carlton Howard, who helped establish disc golf in North Carolina in 1997; Becky Zallek, who built a thriving scene in Iowa in 2006; and Kuan Chen, founder of the Asia Open tournament.

Some honorees have even gone on to fill key roles within the PDGA. For instance, Brian Graham (2002) became Director of Membership and Growth, while Steve Ganz (2003) led the organization as former Director of Technology. Others have served as consultants or board members, contributing their expertise to various committees.

A number of Volunteers of the Year have also had tournaments or courses named in their honor, a testament to their lasting impact on the sport. Jeff Homburg, the first recipient of this award, has led the disc approval process for decades and currently chairs the Technical Standards Working Group Committee.

Their stories are a reminder that behind every great tournament, course, or event lies a team of dedicated volunteers who have poured their hearts into making disc golf thrive. These selfless individuals embody the true spirit of the game, demonstrating that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/spotlight-volunteer-year-award