Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, SportsTechnology Helps Volunteers at PGA Classic

he people who keep the Greenbrier Classic going without a hitch aren't paid help but volunteers.

These men and women are working around the Old White Course with some of the PGA's state-of-the-art gear.

Volunteers can run anything from an electronic score card to a laser that marks the distance from the ball to the hole.

"It's amazing the technology the PGA uses. These tournaments have come a long way since the days when all scores were handwritten. It's an honor to get to be a part of the tournament, plus a great learning experience," said Billy Trump, a volunteer operating a distance laser.

The volunteer laser operators send their data to the a digital truck in a hidden location called ShotLink- this powers all of the course's signboards and allows television stations to get an up-to-date, inch-by-inch readout of the golfers' ball position.

ShotLink's truck manager said this is a vital tool in today's modern age of golf.