Award Overview
The Donald V. Harrison Volunteer of the Year Award is named in honor of one of this tournament's greatest volunteers. Donald Harrison, a native from Grand Rapids, Michigan, fell in love with the game of golf as a young boy. After graduating from Western Michigan University and then working in Southern California, Don moved to Florida in 1963 to join his brother in business.
While most of Don's time was spent helping to grow a business and raise three children; Debby, Jim and Wendy, Don also made time to volunteer for this tournament, then known as the JC Penney Classic, a PGA TOUR/LPGA mixed team golf tournament. In 1983, Don's path of volunteerism was further cast when he joined the Board of Directors. In 1991 and 1992, Don served as General Chairman. Thereafter, he continued volunteering his time for the planning and operations of following tournaments as a member of the Executive Committee and Board, as well as continuing to help recruit new volunteers. A cardiac arrest in 2006 now prevents Don from actively serving. He remains an honorary member of the Board of Directors, and Don's spirit of volunteerism remains strong in his heart and in the hearts of all who serve to better our community through this charitable golf tournament.
For these reasons, a volunteer of the year is recognized and the award is named in honor of Don Harrison for his commitment, dedication and sacrifice. All these are the traits of the recipient of this award, and of the over 1200 volunteers the tournament is blessed to have in service.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is with gratitude and thanks that this award is presented.
2010 Recipient
2010 Don Harrison Award Winner, Carol Waters
Carol Waters - Carol has been a volunteer for seven years, starting as a hostess on the Hospitality Committee. Quite simply in 2010, Carol put as much time effort and energy into the Transitions Championship as anyone. She has handled the administration of the Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities program, coordinated the volunteer efforts for all those messy jobs like cell phones that no one else wants and contributed close to 100 days of volunteer service for the 2010 Tournament.
Past Recipients
2009 Don Harrison Award Winner, Joe Waskelis
Chairman Transportation - Joe puts in more hours during tournament week than anyone, staff included. His days begin about 4:30 AM as he organizes the days needs and does not conclude until the about 9:00 PM when the last car is gassed for the next day. Joe also has as much if not more responsibility than any chairman tournament week coordinating all vehicles and player transportation as any volunteer. Joe also single handedly secured Karl Flammer Ford's sponsorship of our evacuation vehicles. 2009 was Joe's 7th year as a volunteer.
2008 Don Harrison Award Winner, Shirley Gresham
During the 2008 tournament Shirley volunteered over 100 days and 1000 hours. Most importantly, Shirley's duties are integral to the success of our tournament. She is singularly responsible for the Management of our 1200 plus member volunteer force. This includes recruitment of volunteers, administration of applications (including committee assignments), ordering and distribution of Volunteer uniforms, management of Volunteer Headquarters during tournament week and much much more. So ubiquitous is her presence and touch that many volunteers, Board of Directors, sponsors and patrons think that Shirley is an employee of the tournament.