By Roseanna Smith
Manager of Corporate Communications

Most of what makes golf tournaments run successfully at the American Junior Golf Association happens behind the scenes with little fanfare.

The media does not feature the coordination, phone calls, meetings or late nights that go into the events because it is the AJGA's job to make an event come off as smooth as glass. However, the AJGA also believe in crediting those who are directly responsible for that success.

Meet Joe Haney.

Haney served as the Tournament Chairman for the inaugural PING Invitational in Stillwater, Okla., over Columbus Day weekend in 2006. He has been involved with Oklahoma State's golf program at Karsten Creek Golf Club since 1996 as Tournament Chairman of the NCAA Regional, NCAA Preview, NCAA Championship in 2003 and the Karsten Creek Intercollegiate as well as various other golf events.

Oklahoma State Men's Golf Coach Mike McGraw said Haney's enthusiasm for Cowboy Golf and interaction with the community makes him the perfect fit at Karsten Creek Golf Club events.

"He's got his finger on the pulse of the Stillwater community," McGraw said. "I would say he knows everyone in town, every single person who might want to volunteer. He is an Oklahoma State graduate, a longtime Stillwater resident and he has the spirit of whatever it takes, he'll do it. He knows [volunteers] well, he is liked by them and it is a testament of how well he's able to get people to volunteer."

While some of his job is to know people - Haney is the associate vice president of development for the Oklahoma State Foundation - his passion for golf and experience as a Tournament Chairman helped to fuel the AJGA's tremendous success in its first-ever Stillwater event. For the tournament, Haney recruited 250 volunteers, an AJGA record that surpassed even the most prestigious 2006 event, the Rolex Tournament of Champions in July, by almost 100 volunteers.

Former AJGA Executive Director Peter Ripa, who organized and implemented the new invitational event, said it took the enthusiasm from Haney and the entire community to produce such a successful event.

"The Stillwater community wrapped its arms around the championship," Ripa said. "The players and families were overwhelmed with hospitality. We've heard a number of players and families say it was the best event they had ever been to. The AJGA is grateful for the leadership of Haney."

Of course, Haney would be the first to recognize his volunteer committee chairmen who have already met to discuss the 2007 event. With so many areas to cover, a different chairperson has been assigned to each aspect of the event. For example, in 2006, Dwight Stoddard headed the transportation committee, making many trips to the airport and back for juniors and their parents. He also coordinated the many hotel shuttles needed. Other chairmen included David Pitts who worked with live scoring, Kenny Josey who was in charge of ball spotters and Cristy Morrison who led the hospitality crew.

Haney said the unique experience for players and parents created at The PING Invitational or any AJGA event starts at the ground up.

"From the beginning, as we developed our volunteer base, we treated them very well," said Haney. "We wanted them to have a good experience and I feel like that's part of my job. We wanted to make them feel welcome."

Beyond the simple experience of working at the event, Haney asks each chairperson to adminster the details - ensuring each volunteer is fed and felt appreciated with a tournament gift. Haney also requests that they create their own personal relationships with volunteers so they will want to return to help with another event. There are no qualifications to volunteer in Stillwater, and it seems there is no short supply of willing participants.

During the 2007 PING Invitational, visitors will likely see Haney up with the AJGA staff bustling around the course and checking last minute details. He says his job is complete when his goal is reached.

"We would like [The PING Invitational] to become the premier golf event held at Karsten Creek every year," Haney said. "When someone thinks about golf at Karsten Creek, we want it to be a world-class experience on the course and we want everything surrounding it to measure up as well."

With juniors beginning to fill their tournament schedules for 2007, Haney only requests one thing.

"I hope this becomes an event juniors pencil into their schedule."