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Thousands of volunteers and workers make Ryder Cup possible

Whistling Straits
Posted at 3:31 AM, Sep 22, 2021
and last updated 2021-09-22 08:47:39-04

KOHLER (NBC 26) — Quiana Jones isn’t a huge golf fan.

“I don't really understand it," she said. "I mean, I know you've got to get the ball in the hole but outside of that I can't give you specifics, and I bump into a lot of people, and I don't really know who they are. But I love my job.”

Concession stand at Ryder Cup

This is the second Ryder Cup she’s worked concessions at with Levy's Restaurants; she was at Hazeltine in 2016.

“The outfits, the attire, the tutus the unicorns, the American flags," said Jones. "All the flags really and the chants. The chanting is my favorite.”

COVID-19 has impacted Levy Restaurants' ability to hire enough workers, the Jacksonville, Florida resident said.

“The biggest thing is not having as many people as we're used to having work with us," said Jones. "We're having to do a little bit more to get it done.”

While Jones is putting in 17-hour days at the concession stand this week, others are putting in a few hours of volunteering, like Melissa Brandt, who lives in Kohler.

“I just thought this would be a fun opportunity, have a little fun volunteer my time," she said. "This is my backyard, basically.”

This year, the Ryder Cup was able to recruit all of the around 4,000 volunteers they needed, said the avid Golfer.

“I think everybody just wants to see all the players and just be involved in the excitement of the tournament," said Brandt.

The gates at Whistling Straits are open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today. Players have a practice round at 9 a.m, and the Junior Ryder Cup team exhibition will take place in the afternoon.