The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard Recognizes Dedicated Volunteers with Volunteer of the Year Awards
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 16, 2009) — This year marks 31 years of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Since its inception, there has been one very important support system that has kept the tournament running in top condition — its volunteers. Continuing in an annual tradition of recognizing the commitment and importance of these volunteers to the Tournament, longtime volunteers Larry Mann and Victor Matsko have each been awarded the 2009 title of “Volunteer of the Year.”
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard Volunteer of the Year award is aimed at recognizing individuals who embody the spirit of volunteering. Both winners are currently Committee Chairmen for the Marshals (Matsko on the front 9 and Mann on the back 9) and have volunteered countless hours for more than 20 years. As marshals, they patrol the golf course – keeping the pace of play up, responding to golfers' questions or concerns and controlling the crowd.
Larry and Victor are being recognized as a Volunteers of the Year because of their commitment to the tournament. Over the past 24 years, both have been dedicated volunteers, exemplifying what a volunteer stands for and displaying a love for the tournament, the sport of golf and the benefiting hospitals, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.
“These two loyal gentlemen truly embody the meaning of volunteerism,” said Tournament Director Scott Wellington. “They are a key part of a vital support system of volunteers that continue to make the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard one of the PGA TOUR’s most prestigious tournaments.”
Larry Mann, 82, has marshaled at just about every PGA TOUR event in the Jacksonville and Orlando areas. Born on a farm in the outskirts of Alma, Mich., his love for the game of golf started in Chicago, where he would often play in the dead of winter, painting his golf ball black to contrast the snow on the course. Now retired, Larry is a World War II U.S. Air Force veteran, working for Sunoco for 22 years and the State of Florida for 23 years. He and his wife, Phyllis, are approaching their 60th year of marriage and have three children, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild on the way.
Victor Matsko was born in southwestern Penn. After school, he enlisted in the Air Force and served for 20 years while his family grew from seven children to 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. After retiring from the Air Force, Victor moved to Florida, where he worked at Walt Disney World and Red Lobster before retiring for the second time.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will celebrate its 31st year of exceptional golf from March 23-29, 2009 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Tickets can now be purchased online at ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com, by phone at 866-764-4843 or 407-876-7774, or in person at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Ticket Office at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
About the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
As one one of Central Florida’s signature events, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is a premier sporting event and a highlight of the PGA TOUR, attracting some of the greatest talent in golf. The entire event is overseen and directed by one of the game’s all-time greats — Arnold Palmer. Proceeds from the Tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, including Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.