ESCANABA — Consider this your last-minute call to action and sign up now to volunteer for the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass. The Island Resort and Casino is setting the stage to welcome the 144 international women golfers of the Symetra Tour to their award-winning golf course later this month from June 22 through June 24.

Our goals are to exceed the expectations of the tournament officials by having more volunteers participate than most other tour stops and to have our volunteers enjoy the experience by watching golf as much as they are working.

More than 200 volunteers have already signed up to serve as scorekeepers, caddies, cart drivers and marshals for the 2018 championship. The stop at Sweetgrass was first on the Symetra tour schedule in 2011. Since then, more than 26,000 hours of time has been donated by dedicated volunteers because they love golf, want to help the community or just want to have an active role in this unique event.

We will gladly schedule additional volunteers to help spread the workload for the three-day event. All volunteers receive an official tournament shirt, free entry into the tournament, a round of golf at Sweetgrass Golf Club, and meals during their volunteer shift. There is no entry fee, which typically can be assessed to volunteers for professional golf events.

“It is an excellent opportunity to support the community and these women, and enjoy the wonderful venue at Sweetgrass,” says Gladstone resident Dan Doyle, a retired mental health worker, adjunct instructor at Bay and repeat volunteer. “It is very rewarding to be part of this event and give back.”

Dan’s wife, Deb, is also a volunteer. The couple is one of several that have housed a professional golfer in their home for tournament week. If you don’t have extra time to volunteer, consider signing up as a host family by contacting Caron Salo at Northern Lights YMCA – Delta Center, 789-0005 or csalo@nlymca.com.

If we’ve piqued your interest and you want to be part of this volunteer opportunity, email the Chamber at info@deltami.org or visit deltami.org and fill out the volunteer form on the website.

The volunteer program is just one of several efforts of the Chamber of Commerce to welcome the aspiring professional women golfers reaching for their LPGA Tour Card through the Symetra Tour. Our members will also offer the “Keys to Success” program, giving discounts and special offers to the players. This program has had great success for the business community and all who are involved. Contact the Chamber if you want to be part of a program that results in players and spectators visiting your establishment.

Sign up today and help launch the careers of today’s amateurs into tomorrow’s LPGA professionals!

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Vickie Micheau is the director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce