Rudy Krause, Jimmy Ahloy (Volunteer Division Chair – Events), MaryAnne Long (Volunteer Office Assistant) review the course map where Shotlink volunteers are stationed on-course - photo by DERREK MIYAHARAThis year, Rudy Krause won the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Sony Open. After 27 years as a volunteer, Mr. Krause is retiring. The tournament is so big that the planning begins in June, almost seven months prior to the event. It is a busy, hectic, full week at the Waialae Country Club getting the course up and running. Mr. Krause has been extremely involved and devoted to making this event a success; along the way, his “can-do” attitude has inspired others and he has collected many memorable moments.

One could say that Mr. Krause was a reluctant golfer. He came to the sport of golf as a semi-pro baseball player. When one of his fellow teammates suggested he try golf, he was not enthusiastic. But he said, “The very first day I played golf, I was smitten and I have been ever since.” Volunteering at the Sony Open has been a perfect fit for an avid golfer who cares about the community. 

Over the years, as a volunteer, he has held many different positions and a wide variety of responsibilities. His first volunteer experience was as a driver, shuttling participants from Waikiki to the Waialae Country Club. Because Waialae is a small place, parking is limited, making the logistics of getting the participants, volunteers and public to the Sony Open a huge undertaking.

His next role was to supervise staking in the ropes that keep the spectators off the green.  Mr. Krause, a natural problem solver, realized they needed a better system for this process and proceeded to create one that took half the time of the old system and smartly fits onto a golf cart. Other golf courses took note of his “invention” and followed suit.

His latest position title was Division Head of Operations, Group 2.  It sounded daunting. He supervised 11 chairman and around 1,000 volunteers with numerous responsibilities:  caddie master, gallery control, issuing photo IDs, communicating with marshals, roping the greens, security and operations control logistics (setting up tables, chairs, etc.).

Organizing an event with 144 golfers is a daunting undertaking. It helped that Mr. Krause’s professional career was as a “Jack of all trades.” He worked in the construction industry as well as with the military, and recently has taken up painting. Every year the Sony Open recruits 1,500 volunteers to help with the variety of tasks. Mr. Krause paid attention to the details, including testing the amplification equipment used for formally announcing the players at the First Tee. 

The Sony Open not only draws local spectators, but mainland visitors; wives of the golfers and their support teams all help boost the local economy. Mr. Krause emphasized, “I have been playing golf for over 50 years, but the current players are serious athletes. They come equipped with their own personal trainers and gurus helping them focus and concentrate on winning.” The stakes are high. The winner takes home $900,000. This year Ryan Palmer won, after shooting a birdie to insure his win over Robert Allenby. Mr. Krause admitted, “This year, I didn’t watch a single hole, I was too busy the entire time.”

Despite not being able to watch this year’s Sony Open, over the years, Mr. Krause has met many fine players and delightful people. He fondly remembers standing next to Jerry Kelly’s wife after he had won the tournament and listening to her say that this would change the course of their lives. Another memorable golfer was Ernie Els, from South Africa, whom Krause calls “a real fine human being.”  One of his favorite players is Paul Azinger, who also loves to fish when he visits Hawaii.

As a former military man himself, Mr. Krause was especially proud of the recent policy to waive the entrance fee for all members of the military on active duty, which includes providing them with local food and drinks. He noted, “I am grateful for all that the [military] is doing to serve our country.” He also encourages the pros to visit the “military tent,” giving them inspiration. Jerry Kelly in particular has been very supportive of this idea.

This year marked the Sony Open’s 11th year. According to Mr. Krause, what made this event different from the past was, “the focus on doing everything above and beyond perfect in order to secure the return of the tournament sponsorship next year.” Because of the current state of the economy, it was especially important to extend the sponsorship. Mr. Krause was delighted when the PGA told him, at the end of the tournament this year, that Waialae is the nicest course they play, nationwide.

Aside from being a major golf event, The Sony Open is also a charity event. The Friends of Hawaii Charities has raised over 9 million dollars for local not-for-profits. Mr. Krause made clear that volunteering is important to him when he said, “The reason I do this is to find a way to give back to The Friends of Hawaii Charity and the community.”

Mr. Krause is leaving remarkably big shoes to fill as he retires from his role as an outstanding volunteer. Asked if he would miss it, he said, “I gave it all I ever had, and look back at it as a wonderful experience.” When asked what he would do with his time, he mused about possibly taking a cruise. “I have been married 61 years and I adore my wife, I want to spend more time with her.” Although she is not a golfer, she has always been supportive of his involvement at the Sony Open, taking it a step further and volunteering, herself. Although you may not find Mr. Krause volunteering at the Sony Open next year, look for him on one of Oahu’s 52 golf courses. “My goal is to play all of them.”