Allied Health scholarship fund-raiser scheduled Oct. 2

CLARKSDALE – When more than 100 Mid-South golfers tee off on Tunica National’s lush course Oct. 2 for the Coahoma Community College Scholarship Tournament, they’ll be greeted by volunteers aiming at customer service perfection.

“This is a gentlemen’s game,” tournament coordinator Bob Swatzell says during a recent volunteer training session on golf course etiquette.

Although the session is peppered with students, faculty, and staff who have “worked” past tournaments, the coordinator intends to turn out a polished volunteer corps and a streamlined registration procedure.

Included in this training are dress codes, repairing ball marks, replacing divots in the fairway, avoiding registration snafoos, and injuries from 100 mph drives.

In the past three years, the tournament has netted more than $30,000 for allied health scholarships distributed to CCC students, he says.

“My goal is to go after national sponsorships and net $100,000 in the near future,” he continues.

Emphasizing the importance of customer service, Swatzell spells out the need to be polite and professional.

“Whooping and hollering behavior is not welcome on a golf course,” he says. “Be friendly, but when players are about to hit, there must be absolute quiet.”

Borrowing tactics from his text as respiratory therapy clinical director, Swatzell tells student volunteers to “present a positive image.”

“We turn out good products at Coahoma; golfers want to see our students,” he says.

To stress safety, Swatzell warns volunteers: “Never take your eye off the direction the ball is traveling; a good golfer can hit a ball over 100 mph; pay attention where you are at all times.”

He also warns them to stay away from the golf greens that can cost several $100,000 to build.

“A golf course is an expensive investment - $18 to $20 million,” he said.

“Have fun; keep your wits about you,” says Swatzell who requires his volunteers to be in place by 6:45 a.m. “Don’t take tips; the course employees get them.”

Volunteers will be wearing white polo shirts; players receive maroon shirts, golf balls, leather gloves, and other items in their gift packages.

For additional information about the tournament, contact Swatzell at 662-621-4221 or view the college’s website: www.coahomacc.edu