Meet our Past Volunteers of the Year!

For over 27 years, Rudy Krause has faithfully served as a tournament volunteer with the Sony Open, and previously, the Hawaiian Open. As Division Chairman of the Operations II Committee, his responsibilities encompassed overseeing eleven tournament operation committees including gallery control, parking, security, caddies, and others. Krause and his team have been responsible for bulk of the on-course setup and behind-the-scenes operations of the tournament.

“Rudy has devoted his time, expertise and energy to this tournament,” said Ian MacLean, Sony Open Volunteer Chair of Ropes & Stakes, who nominated Rudy for the 2010 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year honor and has worked with him for 11 years. “He is also very innovative as he designed the reels and stands used by our committee and, which have become a standard for not only this event, but others.”

As Division Chair of the Operations II Committee, Krause excelled in his leadership and his mentorship of his committee chairs. “Rudy lavishes praise on others, and not on himself.  He knows how important it is to keep volunteers happy, to give constructive criticism, and provide solutions to make the tournament better for the spectator,” wrote Ian MacLean in his nomination.  Rudy started volunteering in 1983 for the Hawaiian Open. His first volunteer position was with the Pro Transportation Committee, driving for Hubie Green, now on the Champions Tour. He then moved to the Ropes & Stakes committee. Eventually, he was appointed to the Division Chair position when the tournament became the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Wayne Kishida, 2009 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year
For over 25 years, Wayne Kishida has been a tournament volunteer with the Sony Open and previously the Hawaiian Open. As Volunteer Chair overseeing the Pro Airport Transportation committee, Kishida and his team are the first to welcome the PGA TOUR pros and their families to Hawaii and also one of the last to see them depart.

“Wayne goes above and beyond his volunteer responsibilities and he is a true ambassador of the Sony Open in Hawaii, Friends of Hawaii Charities and the state. He is the epitome of the “Volunteer of the Year,” said Rhonda Funn, Division Chair, Sony Open in Hawaii, who nominated Kishida for this honor.

Kishida’s volunteer chairperson responsibilities are multi-faceted. He negotiates the contract with TheCAB each year and works closely with the Honolulu International Airport staff to ensure he and his volunteer team have access to greet the pros and their families when they arrive. He makes it his personal responsibility to ensure that all the pros and their families are greeted at the airport baggage claim no matter what time it is and that he is available 24 hours a day in the weeks prior to, during, and after Sony Open in Hawaii. Kishida’s responsibility also includes ensuring transportation for the pros back to the airport, including arranging a first-class limousine service for the tournament champion!

Bob Gwaltney, 2008 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year
For 33 years, Robert Gwaltney has been a mainstay of the Standards Committee responsible for fielding a corps of strong standard-bearers with each PGA TOUR group on the course. Taking over Committee Chair duties in 2000, his leadership qualities have been described by those who serve with him as multi-faceted. Gwaltney is decisive and determined, ensuring that he and his fellow volunteers are on task to perform their assignment with excellence.

His leadership takes on a caring and nurturing style, as he treats everyone with dignity and respect. He also personally trains every new volunteer and follows up with them to ensure they understand their duties. While he takes his responsibilities seriously, Gwaltney punctuates his work ethic with fun, keeping the mood light and relaxed, often telling jokes and stories. His effective leadership has gained praise from the PGA TOUR and from countless volunteers that have worked with him.

Deciding “33 years of faithful service” merited a rest, Bob Gwaltney retired after the 2008 Sony Open to spend more time with his wife, Fran, a 28-year Sony Open volunteer herself.  Now he will be able to enjoy the tournament with the rest of his family. When asked about his years of volunteer work, Bob said, “I never considered it work. Everyday I was excited to get out to the course and do my part. I enjoyed every second of it!”

Jim Quinn Honored 2007 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year
The 2007 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year honoree is well-known Sony Open team member, Jim Quinn. Chairman of the Tournament Transportation Committee, this longtime volunteer for Friends of Hawaii Charities received a double nomination for the honor. Quinn’s friendly, positive attitude along with his loyal commitment to help out wherever needed started in 1982 when he volunteered to drive and park tournament vehicles. Since then, he has given 25 years of strong leadership and guidance to his team of 70-90 volunteers, with his generous wife and daughter working alongside. One of the first volunteers on site daily from start to finish, his dedication is unflagging.

A volunteer to the core, Quinn’s other community service often precedes the Sony Open. His striking white beard and twinkling eyes can be seen in December around public housing projects, Head Start, Tripler Hospital and a few other community groups where he ably serves as Christmas Santa.

Al Dauth Honored 2006 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year
Al Dauth was honored as the 2006 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year for his outstanding volunteer work at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The prestigious award is given annually to a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional service for the tournament and its charity fund-raising efforts. Dauth, eighty-four years young, started his volunteerism as a Standard Bearer with the United Airlines Hawaiian Open in 1980, weathered the changes that came with the transition to the Sony Open in 1999, and effectively performed his job through it all. Al’s reputation is one of loyal, quiet effectiveness. He sees his primary commitment as supporting the success of the tournament.

“The 84-year old super volunteer had undergone heart bypass surgery and returned stronger than ever,” commented Bob Gwaltney, the Volunteer Chairman who has worked with Al Dauth each year. “Al Dauth epitomizes the word ‘volunteer.’ Exceptionally flexible, he acclimates superbly to the constant changing demands and priorities of tournament operations. Simply put, I could not have asked for a better individual to be a member of my team.”

Patty Abrams Named 2005 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year
Patty Abrams is one of the most sought after volunteers at the Sony Open in Hawaii. She not only distributes tournament apparel, but also meal tickets and other necessities critical to the life of every tournament volunteer. Since Patty started as a tournament volunteer in the 1980s with the Hawaiian Open she has earned her special nickname—“the go-to girl!”

Countless hours of behind-the-scenes preparation are needed to make sure the tournament runs smoothly. Patty organizes the distribution of shirts, hats, jackets, etc., to over 1500 volunteers. She sets up their photo ID sittings, supplies daily lunch vouchers to them, arranges storage space for vendors, and performs a variety of other tasks that come her way.

Upon receiving the well-deserved honor, Patty Abrams humbly commented, “I don’t do it for the glory, I do it because I enjoy it. I’ve made a lot of great friends over the years.”

Al Rodrigues Named 2004 Chester Kahapea Volunteer of the Year
Selected from among some 1,400 volunteers in 2004, Al Rodrigues’ outstanding service recommended itself for attention like a bright light on an empty stage. This exceptional volunteer has given more then 38 consecutive years of volunteer man hours to tournament events at Waialae. Rodrigues first volunteered to help out as a player caddie in 1965. Eventually, he became Vice-Chair for the ShotLink Committee. This committee electronically records minute-by-minute play of the tournament. ShotLink Committee Chair and friend Beth LaGoy nominated Rodrigues, saying, “Al lives his life with the mindset that if work needs to be done, just do it! Al doesn’t waste time.” This spirit earned Al Rodrigues the Volunteer of the Year Award at 83 years young!

PGA TOUR Honors Hawaii Resident Bobby Tsumura
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, March 23, 2004 — The PGA TOUR announced the presentation of an award to the 2003 Volunteer of the Year recipient. Bobby Tsumura, a volunteer with the Sony Open in Hawaii for more than 25 years, was honored with this prestigious award. The award was presented by Commissioner Tim Finchem and TOUR player Brad Faxon during the annual PLAYERS Championship meeting of the PGA TOUR Tournaments Association.  Tsumura started his tournament volunteer duties as a “water boy” providing ice and water to the TOUR players. He is currently in charge of the Operations Support Division and oversees many volunteers.