Blackburn Students Serve LPGA Event Well

It is more likely on a college campus that students are getting in at 4:30 in the morning as opposed to getting up and preparing for a day’s work on a golf course. This was not the case last Thursday for a group of Blackburn’s sport management students.

Dr. Matt Garrett, Professor Gerry Albins and 13 students from the Sport Management class volunteered at the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) State Farm Rail Classic in Springfield on Sep. 2 as part of a class project.

“We had a great opportunity to see what sport management truly entails, especially when hosting a large-scale event,” said Garrett. “Our students were involved in nearly every aspect of Thursday’s round.”

Students and professors did everything from serving as the hazard markers, holding up quiet signs on different holes, assisting where the players practice, working in the media room, making sure the radios work and watering flowers. They also worked as security, handed out the necessary wristbands and helped call in player scores.

“Our students received several compliments, and it was a testament to their hard work, an ethic they acquire in the Work Program,” said Garrett. “We made a favorable impression on several Springfield area professionals who had never previously heard of Blackburn.”

Kalee Mourer, a junior from Danville, said, “The trip to the LPGA showed me how much time an effort is put into organizing, planning and putting on such a big event.”

Apryl Schlichtig, a sophomore from St. Louis, said, “Volunteering at the LPGA Tournament was a great experience allowing myself to experience first hand all the planning and efforts placed into hosting a tournament and will prove beneficial to my future endeavors.”