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Statesville man honored for GHC work
Special to the R&L
Statesville resident Allen Payne (left) is presented his trophy by Executive Tournament Director Jim Correll.
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Published: November 5, 2009
It has been said that volunteers are seldom paid, not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.
Statesville native Allen Payne's efforts to make The Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn a success this year were indeed considered invaluable by tournament organizers.
Payne has been selected as the Classic's 2009 Volunteer of the Year.
Payne has volunteered for six of the tournament's seven years, missing only one round due to a family wedding two years ago. His contributions were recognized last week during the tournament's annual volunteer recognition ceremony at Rock Barn Golf & Spa when he was presented with a Waterford crystal trophy by Executive Tournament Director Jim Correll.
"Others deserve it more than me," Payne said. "It's an honor, though. I'm thrilled to get it."
Payne, an avid golfer, received a call from his sister seven years ago after she heard about the need for volunteers for the new golf tournament coming to Hickory. His sister encouraged him to give it a try.
"I took her advice," Payne said. "I'm so glad that I did. I have a great time doing it."
It takes an army of volunteers to pull off a tournament of this magnitude. Many work behind the scenes and never get near the legends that tee off on the PGA Champions tour.
Payne was given a job as a standard bearer when he volunteered seven years ago.
A standard bearer carries a five-pound metal sign and follows a three-man group through each hole of the course. The sign lists the names of each player in the group, and the standard bearer updates each golfer's score at the end of each hole.
This job has allowed Payne to rub shoulders with the likes of golfing icons Lee Trevino, Gary Player, Jim Thorpe and Craig Stadler.
"Some volunteers never see the pros," Payne said. "I'm lucky enough to actually be there with them and see them play."
His job is not all fun and games, however.
"It's a lot of work, actually," Payne said. "The way they work up there is that the pros use golf carts and the standard bearers have to walk. There are times you literally have to run to keep up with them as they follow their shots."
Payne's colleagues appreciate his servant's heart.
"Allen is always early, always willing to do whatever needed to make everyone else's time great," said David Daly, Payne's volunteer committee chairman and nominator. "To me, Allen is what a volunteer should be, with an outstanding attitude and professional approach that are appreciated by his fellow standard bearers as well as the golfers and caddies.
"I can think of no other volunteer in any area that deserves this honor more than Allen."
As the tournament's top volunteer, Payne becomes a nominee for the PGA Champions Tour Volunteer of the Year award selected at the conclusion of the 2009 season and will also be inducted into the tournament's Volunteer Hall of Fame, which recognizes volunteers who have made exceptional efforts over the tourney's history.
Payne hopes to continue his volunteer work with the tourney for as long as possible.
"If they have (the tournament) there for 20 years, I'll be a volunteer each year as long as I'm able to," Payne said.
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