Color me strange. I just don't get it. From the US Open Website;
All volunteers for the 2015 U.S. Open Championship will volunteer for a minimum of four (4) shifts with each lasting approximately five (5) to six (6) hours and will be responsible for arriving at their assigned positions on time without the use of cart transportation. Volunteers will be required to purchase the volunteer package for $165. As part of the volunteer package, volunteers will receive apparel specifically designed for the 2015 U.S. Open Championship, a credential valid for all seven (7) days of the championship and a meal voucher for each assigned shift. The volunteer apparel will consist of two (2) golf shirts, a wind jacket and a piece of headwear, provided by Ralph Lauren. Volunteers will not be paid wages or compensated in any other manner in exchange for their volunteer activities. Please DO NOT submit payment for the volunteer package with your application. A separate invoice will be sent to you after you are accepted as a volunteer.
So, I will pay $165.00 to get a hat, a couple of golf shirts, a wind jacket and a piece of headware. But! Wait! There's more! After the twisted golf tee.
According to the Seattle Times,
"Volunteers also are allowed as spectators on the course for free when they’re not working their assigned shifts, which typically run five to six hours on four days during the tournament weeks."
I don't dis golf, but I don't understand the impulse to volunteer for an event that involves multi-million dollar sports figures swatting little dimpled balls into a hole with thousand $ putters.
I have not been able to find information on whether or not this volunteer work is tax deductible.
I support the Seattle Seahawks (Go Hawks!). But I don't volunteer for them.
But, Umm, well. I'd rather see 5,000 people volunteer to restore salmon streams and volunteer at food banks, stuff like that, rather than volunteer at a golf tournament. But that's just me.