Hershey, Pa. – At about noon on Sunday, Carol Graybeal, a member of the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Committee, popped into the media center. “There’s someone you should talk to,” Graybeal said. “Her name is Amy. She is a school principal and a great volunteer.”

Volunteers are critical to USGA championships. They do everything from shuttling players to entering scores on computers. A few pick up random trash, pouncing on a stray paper cup like a cat on an unsuspecting mouse. Each year the USGA seeks out sturdy volunteers to help conduct the national championships, but this one found us.

Amy M. Roslevege, Ed.D., strolled into the media center, wearing her blue volunteer’s shirt and clutching her khaki volunteer cap, and stuck out her hand. “I’m Amy,” she said. “I went on the USGA website. That’s where I saw this championship and volunteered.”

Roslevege had finished her duties for the day. She had entered scores on the handheld computers and was headed home, driving some 95 miles to Hatboro, Pa. Monday is a school day and she will be back in her role as the principal at a school with the charming name of Pennypack Elementary.

The Senior Women’s Amateur isn’t her first rodeo. In June, Roslevege also worked as a volunteer at the 2012 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links at Neshanic Valley (N.J.) Golf Course, a 55-mile trip from home.

“I did 36 holes one day,” she said. “I went two rounds with Ashlan Ramsey, the runner-up. In the semifinals, I walked with the standard bearer and wore the bib that holds the numbers. For the first 18 holes of the final, I was a forecaddie and on the second 18 holes I went back on the bib.”

Her eyes wide with enthusiasm, Roslevege said, “I came home and said, ‘OK, maybe I’ll go to Rules School.’ And, I want to go to the USGA Museum to see The Mickey Wright Room.  That gives me goose bumps!”

Roslevege has played golf for eight years. When she took four years off to finish her doctorate and earn an Ed.D., her USGA Handicap Index climbed a bit. While she is now getting back to playing, she’s found a new interest in volunteering with the USGA.

“Yesterday I was handing out the caddie bibs and today I was entering scores on tablets,” she said. “It’s been very, very interesting to see how the committee structures [the championship].”

By just doing this critical work, every volunteer makes an impression on a championship. Adam Karnish, the USGA’s coordinator of course rating and handicapping, remembered Roslevege well. “She did a good job with the handheld computers. She was right on top of it,” Karnish said.

When classes start tomorrow at Pennypack Elementary, Roslevege will share her experience as a volunteer. “I’ll talk to my students about it, sort of in the vein of, ‘What did you do this summer?’ because it might promote volunteerism,” she said. “There are many charities that need help, and that’s great, but there are other ways, like this, in which you can be involved in your community.”

Passion for the game is found in places other than between the tee markers. It is there in the hundreds of folks who generously cross the line from fan to volunteer. While Amy Roslevege is just one of them, thousands are needed each year.

“My golf skills very much need improvement, but I love the game and I can still support these events,” she said.

On her way out the door, Roslevege offered her business card. “Here’s my contact information,” she said. “I’ll volunteer as long as the championships aren’t too far away and as long as I can support the USGA.”

Rhonda Glenn is a manager of communications for the USGA. Email her at rglenn@usga.org.