FSGA Announces 2024 Volunteers of The Year
Updated: 2 days ago
Clint Parsons and Stuart Draper have been named the 2024 Florida State Golf Association Volunteers of the Year. Parsons earned the honor of Tournament Volunteer of the Year, while Draper received the Course Rating Volunteer of the Year award.
Clint Parsons | Tournament Volunteer of the Year
Clint Parsons joined the FSGA as a tournament volunteer in 2014 and has since proven to be an invaluable asset to the organization. Before his role with the FSGA, he spent five years as a Rules Official for the Tennessee Golf Association, where he worked at numerous TGA Championships and USGA Qualifiers. This background equipped him with extensive knowledge and experience, making him an irreplaceable member of our volunteer team.
Golf has been a significant part of Parsons' life since he left the military and took his first job, which included a golf league. It wasn’t long after that golf became a source of passion in his life, and he began volunteering for multiple organizations.
“I just love volunteering. It gives me something to do, gets me out of the house…,” Parsons continued, “This volunteering stuff keeps me alive.”
Not only does it give him something to do, but it also is a common topic for him and his daughter, who works for the USGA and is the Director of the Girls’ Junior. When he is not volunteering for the FSGA, Parson’s likes to work his daughters' events.
Parsons is deeply passionate about the game and values the opportunity to give back to the community that centers around the sport he cherishes. “I love the game of golf, and every aspect. At one point, I wrote my own handicap program.” Parsons shared, “I was even an early member of the Golf Collectors Society, so at one point, my house was filled with golf antiques, old clubs, and bags.”
When asked about being named Tournament Volunteer of the Year, Parsons expressed his gratitude for having his dedication to the FSGA acknowledged after 11 years. Staying true to his humble nature, he remarked, “There are others in the FSGA that I know are just as deserving as I am. We have a lot of great volunteers in the state.” He emphasized that his fellow volunteers have been a source of motivation for him over the years, stating, “If it weren't for the other great volunteers, I probably wouldn't be doing it.”
As a senior rules official with experience in college tournaments, junior tours, NCAA events, and more, Parsons dedication deserves to be recognized and truly demonstrates the essence of the game we all hold close to our hearts.
Stuart Draper | Course Rating Volunteer of the Year
Stuart Draper is captain of the Section 14 Course Rating Team in Lee county. He has been dedicating his time as an FSGA Course Rater for 11 years, beginning in 2014.
Draper began his journey in course rating while living in Missouri. When the Missouri Golf Association sought women raters, his wife stepped up to volunteer, and Draper joined her, quickly becoming captivated by the process. After relocating to Florida, he was eager to continue his volunteer efforts in course rating, which led to his involvement with the FSGA.
As captain, Draper has nine team members who rate six to eight courses a year, “We've got a great team in Lee County, probably one of the best in the state,” Draper said.
Draper also shared how the golf landscape has changed over the past several years, “Times have changed you know, golf has to be competitive with other sports these days.” Draper continued, “Course rating is significant because it affects players' handicaps.”
In order to ensure the rating reflects each course accurately, Draper shared, “We typically like to have seven people on a team on a course at a time, at least. Seven gives us three to do fairways, three to do greens, and one that kind of floats.”
Draper emphasizes that much of his success relies on his team, “We've got a great team. It might take us half an hour on the first hole and after that, everybody just sits into their role and that's it. It goes so smoothly. And they're all committed– I mean, they all come almost every time,” Draper shared.
The recognition of Course Rating Volunteer of the Year took Draper by surprise, “ I've gotten dozens of emails from people that I know that have given me congratulations, and that's not something I seek out or am used to. It’s meant a lot.” It’s no secret that Draper has contributed significantly to the golf community, and the game benefits greatly from his passion and hard work.
Draper and Parsons will be honored at the FSGA’s Annual Dinner in Orlando at The Rosen Shingle Creek in February. The Annual Dinner celebrates the best players in the state, volunteers, Hall of Fame inductees, and many other important individuals involved in the game of golf in Florida.