Brian Taylor is not your average golfer. After years of playing, spectating and volunteering at various golf events in both the United States and the United Kingdom, the Welshman has taken his passion for the game to new heights. Not only does Taylor travel thousands of miles to volunteer at U.S. Open Championships, but he also contributes to the development of the Worldwide Handicap System from the UK.
While Taylor’s interest in golf’s rules and regulations has increased his involvement in the game’s governance, the cause of his initial attraction to the sport was common.
“Great surroundings, good exercise and great company!” Taylor explained. “Also, golf is the only sport in which I have participated where the handicap system allows players of all abilities to compete equally against both the golf course and each other.”
Like many other golf enthusiasts, Taylor has attended championship events to watch the professionals play, but at the 2018 U.S. Open - his ninth – he is also serving as a volunteer. This is Taylor’s second visit to Shinnecock after attending his first U.S. Open as a spectator in 1986.
“It's always such a great event,” Taylor said. “It’s always played on iconic courses and having lived in the United States over 30 years ago, it's another chance to return and enjoy both golf and a vacation.”
While living in the U.S., Taylor joined the USGA in 1987, and despite returning to the UK, he has remained a member for 31 years.
“I joined the USGA ‘for the good of the game,’” he said, “and because the excellent USGA communications, in a variety of forms, kept me in touch with all current affairs relating to golf, particularly satisfying my ongoing interest in the Rules of Golf, for which the USGA is, of course, responsible as the world governing body, jointly with The R&A.”