By: Shane René, Administrator of Media and Communications
Boise, ID – The Idaho Golf Association relies on a sizeable cast of volunteers to ensure the best possible experience for championship and recreational players alike. They camp out in the heat to keep live scoring up to date. They shuttle players through cumbersome walks from greens to tees. Some study for and pass the USGA Rules test to provide expert rulings during critical moments of competition. Others travel around the state as course raters, collecting the data that keeps the World Handicap System consistent, fair and up to date.
What is rare, however, is to find a volunteer who tackles all the above – a volunteer whose love for golf is matched by the kind of expertise and enthusiasm that elevates every service the IGA offers to its members.
That is why the IGA is proud to announce Bruce Robinett as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year.
“Every organization needs a Bruce Robinett!” said IGA Volunteer Coordinator Anne Williamson. “The person that you can rely on — even if he’s not on the volunteer schedule — who steps up and is willing to do the most menial task when asked. Oftentimes, he does those tasks before you have a chance to ask him. This year he has worked as an event volunteer, course rater and rules official. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of Volunteer of the Year!”
Robinett was a consistent force in the championships department throughout the 2024 season. When the IGA shows up at water-laden venues, a long day is required to make sure penalty areas are appropriately marked for play – and Robinett routinely showed up early and ready to paint. And during weeks he isn’t competing, you’re likely to find him patrolling the fairways as a rules official.
A Hillcrest Country Club member, Robinett was integral to helping secure his home club as the venue for the 2024 Women’s Amateur Championships. But his involvement didn’t stop there. From sunup to sundown, Robinett was on site, radio fixed in his ear, helping with everything from course set up and starting to rules and scoring. Robinett even dug into his own pocket to provide fresh fruit for players on the first tee.
“Bruce has made himself available for any and all things IGA.” Manager of Rules and Competitions Kyle Weeks said. “Rules, scoring, championship set up, course rating – the whole kit and kaboodal.”
Last week, the IGA invited Robinett to serve as a rules official at the 2024 Carter Cup, an event with little to no need for rules experts. Experience amateur players and PGA professionals seldom find themselves in need of a ruling. But Robinett responded to the call anyway, ready and willing to lend his expertise. After a brief ambush – a surprise public acknowledgment of all he’s done this year – we sent him home early.
Bruce is a known commodity around IGA championships, but he’s also taken up a role in what is arguably one of the most important departments at any Allied Golf Association – course rating. Course raters spend long days out at golf courses across Southern Idaho, much of it walking from fairway to fairway with a clipboard in hand, taking measurements of landing areas and green surrounds. This work provides the foundation of handicapping services worldwide. Without course raters, skilled players, like Bruce, would take far too much of your money in the weekly skins game.
“Bruce has become a very good leader in a very short amount of time.” Course Rating Chief Nicole Rutledge said. “He’s only been course rating for a year or so, and I always trust him when he’s out with raters who are still learning the ropes. He brings a valuable perspective to the team.”
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