The LPGA Volvik Golf Championship has shown incredible growth since Saline Journal covered its innaugural event at the Travis Pointe Country Club in 2016. This was evidenced in every detail of its Media Day presentation held at Ruths Chris Steak House in downtown Ann Arbor yesterday. [1,2,3,4]
Founded by Tournament Director Keith Karbo, this is one of 34 tournaments in fourteen countries on the 2018 tour. Professional play will be nationally televised by the Golf Channel and internationally rebroadcast in over 170 different countries. Dr John Charpie, of CS Mott Children’s Hospital also stepped the podium to detail its partnership on a new pro-am event developed to benefit the Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, for which he serves as Director. [5,6]
Internationally, the LPGA Volvik Championship highlights the importance of Michigan as a golf destination. Nationally, Ann Arbor is called its host city. [7,8,9]
But when it comes to making everything work on the ground at Travis Pointe, Saline is key.
Throughout its May 1 presentation at Ruths Chris, speakers on behalf of organizers emphasized the critical role of some 550 volunteers in consistently delivering a golf championship experience second to none. Lead among them is Stephanie Schick, a senior this year at Saline High School.
“Since day one of announcing the LPGA was coming to Travis Pointe Country Club, the Schick family has been very supportive of the Volvik Championship,” Mr Karbo shared in an exclusive with Saline Journal after close of the formal presentations.
“Stephanie and her father, Mark, led our Guest Services volunteer team in year one, and Stephanie has taken over as the Chairperson for that volunteer committee in 2017 and again this year. Our Guest Services team is the front door to our 30,000 spectators, and Stephanie’s personality and organizational skills have helped make this important role a success.
“We have over 550 tournament volunteers in total, and a handful of them are college age or younger like Stephanie. However, she has the most responsibility of that age group, and she handles it well.”
Not surprisingly, Ms Schick is currently serving as president of the SHS Chapter of DECA. She has been admitted to the University of Dayton where she will study business starting this fall. Would she like to return next year as a volunteer if invited back? “I would like to very much,” she responded. She added that, having already checked the dates for final exams at UofD, “There’s no conflict with that.”
The LPGA Volvik Golf Championship isn’t all about organization for her, of course: She is also an avid golfer herself. “It changed my life,” she said of the game.
She was also quite generous with her praise for Michael Areddy, head golf pro at Travis Pointe. “He set me on the golf path.” Stephanie Schick went on to say that Mr Areddy is “such a great advocate for young people and golf.” [12]
In 2016, Lisa Ferrero was one of many professional golfers who housed with area families during the Volvik Championship that year, and she stayed with the Schick family here in Saline. During that time, she not only took time to give Ms Schick golf lessons, but also lead a golf clinic for a team at SHS. Now head coach for the Towson University women’s golf team, Ms Ferrero has kept in touch with Stephanie Schick and assured her that she’d be a welcome addition to the team there. [13]
As ambassodors for the City of Saline on the international stage go, Stephanie Schick must certainly be considered an effective representative.
References
- Volvik Championship (home page).
- “Year-One LPGA Volvik Championship May Already Call Travis Pointe Long-Term Home” Dell Deaton (May 30, 2016) Saline Journal.
- Travis Pointe Country Club (home page).
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Ann Arbor location).
- Golf Channel (home page).
- “CS Mott links up with LPGA for Volvik tournement” Matt Charboneau (May 2, 2018) The Detroit News.
- “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” Ron Whitten, Golf Digest.
- Destination Ann Arbor (home page).
- Ann Arbor Sports Commission (home page).
- DECA (home page).
- University of Dayton (home page).
- “Executive Profile: Michael Areddy, Head PGA golf professional; Owner, Travis Pointe Golf Shop” M Fellows (April 3, 2008) mLive.
- “Ferrero Named Towson Head Women’s Golf Coach” (August 23, 2017) LPGA.
