More than 800 volunteers make the Dana Open possible

The Dana Open, founded in 1984, has run on volunteer power for the past 40 years.

From operating manual scoreboards to providing on-course refreshments, more than 800 volunteers are divided into six types of committees to ensure the tournament runs smoothly.

Different groups of volunteers tend to the needs of players, spectators, volunteers, media professionals, and sponsors. Volunteers even run a shuttle service for spectators, directors, and chairmen between parking lots.

“There’s a lot that goes into the tournament behind the scenes that I don’t think a lot of people realize,” said Heather Warga, the tournament’s volunteer coordinator.

The weekend before the tournament begins, volunteers are already hard at work, staking, prepping the course, and placing trash boxes in areas accessible to the public. When the tournament begins on Monday, duties shift to managing registration, ticketing, parking payment, and more.

“We really depend heavily on our volunteers,” Warga said. “Honestly, without [volunteers] we would not be able to do all the things that need to be done to get the Dana Open up and running.”

Because the tournament relies on such a high number of volunteers, Warga must begin recruiting efforts early. Although the tournament will be played from July 18 to July 21, volunteer sign-ups opened the first day of January. Staff sends out a message to a previous volunteer database seeking help.

To become a volunteer for the Dana Open, individuals must pay a registration fee that goes toward the apparel, parking, and food volunteers receive. By having volunteers shoulder these costs, the tournament is able to donate 100 percent of proceeds to local children’s charities.

Between 1984 and 2023, the tournament has raised $13.9 million for more than 250 local children’s charities.

Melinda Robinson, a Wauseon resident, has been volunteering for the Dana Open since its inception in 1984.

“I love the tournament, it’s wonderful,” Robinson said. “I went to high school in Sylvania, so it kind of brings me back.”

Ms. Robinson credits her love of golf and her desire to give back to the community with connecting her to the tournament 40 years ago. She has returned every year since.

“If it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t be there,” Robinson said, breaking into a laugh.

Over the past four decades, Robinson has traversed volunteer responsibilities. She has worked as a walking scorer, assisted with player services, distributed uniforms, and more.

“The volunteer core that we have is a very dedicated and longstanding group of people,” Warga said. “I think once people come out and they’re a part of the volunteer team, they really do have a good time.”

Paul Jomantas, who will also be entering his 40th year of volunteer work with the Dana Open, was initially inspired to join the effort as a way to get outside. He recalled working in the law library at the University of Toledo and looking for a way to get out and enjoy the summer weather. The good cause and great golf kept him coming back.

“The golfers have always been great. I’ve seen like six holes-in-one between my hole and just walking around,” Jomantas said.

Jomantas also appreciates the sense of camaraderie and community amongst the volunteers.

“I actually met my wife at the Dana Open, although I didn’t know it at the time. She was a greens reporter on hole 13 and I was a hole captain on hole 14. She’d come over and take our water when she was thirsty, and I’d go over there and watch people on the green when we weren’t busy.”