By Kent Gray
There’s volunteering at a golf tournament and then there’s volunteering at the 2nd Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by ShUrooq. Just ask Ronan Rafferty.

The former Ryder Cupper is leading the call to action for volunteers ahead of the Staysure Tour (formerly European Senior Tour) event at the nine-hole Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club on March 8-10.

Jobs are available as caddies, marshals and scorers and Rafferty, 54, promises a unique “fun-filled” experience for those willing to give up their time.

“It’s not like when you’re at the Dubai Desert Classic or the DP World Tour Championship where the players aren’t really approachable. The merry band of over 50s are just the opposite, the atmosphere is completely different,” said the seven-time European Tour winner who is searching for his maiden Staysure Tour title.

“That might not have been evident in Sharjah last year because the golfing public in Dubai are used to things like ‘keep quiet, there are some golfers over there’. It won’t be like that at Sharjah. So get involved – name your group, call yourself the ‘merry bandits’, get a name tag on everyone so we can build up a relationship and get on first-name terms and we’ll interact for the week.”

The Northern Irishman, who played the 1989 Ryder Cup at the Belfry after topping the European Tour moneylist that season, says the Staysure Tour players are ready for a bit of banter.

“At events like the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, certain ‘teams’ of volunteers will work on each hole, and players then get to know those people day by day and year after year. They walk up onto the tee and they see a familiar face in a marshal’s uniform, and they recognise you and greet you.

Volunteers at last year’s Sharjah Senior Masters with winner Chris Williams.

“It would be great to get a bunch of people down from the local golf clubs or involve a group of people from a social club. Because every club has its groups of friends who play in a regular four-ball on a certain day. It’s more appealing to do things in a group, rather than on your own as an individual, so if you’re interested in volunteering – bring a friend or two.

You can register as a volunteer for the Sharjah Senior Masters here.

The deadline is February 16. Those who apply for roles will be contacted on February 23.

South African Chris Williams, who pipped Englishman Gary Marks in a playoff last March, is poised to defend his title. Rafferty, for the record, finished in a share of 43rd place at the inaugural 54-hole event featuring a field of 57 and no halfway cut.