Ron Keener
2009 Champions Tour Volunteer of the Year
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Principal
Charity Classic Volunteer Earns Volunteer of the Year Honor
(West Des Moines, Iowa)
- The Champions Tour has selected Ron Keener of The
Principal Charity Classic as its 2009 Volunteer of the Year. The announcement
was made yesterday by Champions Tour President Mike Stevens at the Champions
Tour Tournament Association annual awards dinner in San Antonio.
Keener received the distinction
via a balloting process that included nominations from tournaments on the 2009
Champions Tour schedule. In total, Champions Tour events enlist approximately
24,000 volunteers annually.
Ron Keener has served as a volunteer at
The Principal Charity Classic for the past three years as Caddie Concierge.
Throughout this period, he has researched and implemented a plan to create an
unprecedented atmosphere for the caddies.
At many tournaments tour caddies are somewhat neglected and hang out all
week in a bare tent. Ron's mission was
to make the caddies' experience as good as the professionals'. With the support of nearly 40 local sponsors, his
mission has become reality in Des
Moines. It is
no longer just caddies milling around, now players, celebrities, sponsors and
medical personnel visit Ron's Caddie Shack during the week. "The more they appreciate it, the bigger I'll make it," Keener said.
Keener's dedication, excitement, positive
attitude and friendship to those he comes in contact with are all models for
what all volunteers should strive to become.
"Ron Keener is a big part of what our
golf tournament is all about. His commitment to his volunteer work with the
tournament is unmatched, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Ron is very
deserving of this great Champions Tour honor, and we are proud to have him on
our team," said Principal Charity Classic tournament director Jamie Alt.
"The PGA TOUR is proud of all the
volunteers who help to make each tournament happen. Ron Keener has shown such
great dedication throughout the years. Without volunteers like Ron, our
tournaments and our TOUR would not be able to make such significant
contributions to the communities in which we play," said Champions Tour
President Mike Stevens.
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