Nova Scotia Open finishes second day at New Ashburn Golf Club
Over 300 volunteers at the New Ashburn Golf Club have paid money for the chance to keep the Nova Scotia Open running smoothly over the last two days.
People of all ages have been pitching in from dawn until dusk to facilitate the four-day tournament in Windsor Junction, which is the only Canadian stop on the Web.com tour.
"A lot of people would say, 'Well, why would you pay $50 to volunteer?'" said volunteer coordinator Linda MacDonald.
"But, you know we get fed every day, we get to be inside the ropes and right up close, and a lot of us are golfers. It's just a great experience and a lot of fun."
The volunteers have been performing a number of tasks to keep the tournament moving, including wireless scorekeeping and sign holding throughout the hot summer days.
Volunteer Corrine Burbine, 75, arrives at the course by 5 a.m. for her shift as a greeter.
"It's a lot of fun," she said. "And you meet a lot of people — nice people. And you know it doesn't cost anything to be pleasant that's for sure. … I don't have the gift of gab, but at least I can say 'Hi'."
In addition to daily duties at the course, volunteers have even given a few of the players a place to stay.
"These guys aren't necessarily making a lot of money at this point, so we try to match members up with people who need accommodations," MacDonald said.
Second year in a row
On Thursday, 150 professional golfers teed off at the course, competing for $650,000 in prize money.
But after an extended winter that took a toll on many courses in province, New Ashburn's general manager explains employees had to work hard to get the course ready in time.
"We had extensive damage on probably six to eight greens, a lot of fairways," said manager Gordie Smith.
"It's turned out remarkably well in the last two weeks and they're actually going to have a very good golf course to play."
For a second year in a row, the Nova Scotia Open has hosted the tournament, and enthusiasm for the tour's return is shared by 18-year-old Austin Connelly — a Canada-U.S. citizen who started playing at the Clare Golf & Country Club in Church Point, N.S.
Though he lives in Texas, Connelly is the top-ranked amateur player in Canada.
"I love it up here in Nova Scotia," he said. "Especially, this time of year because I get to escape the Texas heat."
The Nova Scotia Open will wrap up on Sunday.
