HAROLD MOAG, 63-YEAR VOLUNTEER, NAMED WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
(Harold Moag, big Western Guilford High School and Guilford College Supporter from over the years.)
GREENSBORO, N.C. – – Harold Moag, who turned 96 years old during this year’s Wyndham Championship while volunteering at his 63rd tournament, is the 2022 Volunteer of the Year, the tournament announced today. The 84th annual Wyndham Championship is set for Aug. 3-6. 2023.
Harold Moag isn’t an ordinary volunteer. When asked why he volunteers, his answer is thoughtful, and it explains how he’s lived his life.
“I’ve been part of volunteerism since I was a young boy,” Moag said. “I wasn’t interested in making a lot of money. I was interested in being successful, and I thought maybe the best way to do things was to volunteer and help others. I think it’s a great way to study people – that’s how you learn. You learn people’s skills, attitude and what you have to do for people to understand you and trust you.”
A salesman by trade, Moag’s 63-tournament commitment to the Wyndham Championship is only the beginning. Among the other beneficiaries of his generosity are the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Greensboro Aquatic Center and the ACC Hall of Champions at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Guilford College, Western Guilford High School and his Kiwanis Club. He used to volunteer for the Guilford County Board of Elections, but since 1998, his is a paid position as a precinct chief judge. It’s all about helping people. Second Harvest Food Bank is a perfect example.
“I got paid from 1995 till 2004, but there was no more money in that budget,” Moag said. “When I spoke to the executive director, they asked me keep doing my job but as a volunteer because I’d already laid the groundwork. I talked to my wife, Ann, and she asked me what I wanted to do. I said, ‘well, if it’s helping people who are hungry, and they aren’t going to be able to pay anybody, the people will still be hungry.’ I went back and told them I’d continue as a volunteer.”
After the 2022 Wyndham Championship, volunteer coordinator Val Edson brought Moag, a World War II veteran, to the 18th green for the trophy celebration, but before the Sam Snead Cup was presented to champion Tom Kim, executive director Mark Brazil introduced Moag as the volunteer of the year.
“I had an idea, but I didn’t know it was coming,” Moag said. “I didn’t know it had been proposed that I’d be volunteer of the year. I appreciate the opportunity to do what I’ve been doing for years. It’s always been a joy to be there with the people and be a volunteer. I haven’t been doing the heavy work in the last few years, but I’m always there. I was president of the Old Timers back in ‘78 so we’re sort of expected to be there.”
And he’s been there since his first tournament in 1959 at Starmount Forest Country Club when he was in the Guilford College Jaycees. He was an “advance marshal” responsible for walking ahead of the leader’s group to remind the fans to be quiet and still. Eventual champion Dow Finsterwald was on the 17th hole hoping to take his two-stroke lead into the final hole.
“It was raining, the wind was blowing,” Moag remembered. “Finsterwald was taking his time. The caddie kept the umbrella over him until it was time for him to putt. He changed jackets three times. He had one under the umbrella and finally decided that was time to put on his last dry jacket. He made the putt, and about that time, a big gust of wind came. The umbrella Paul Vanstory and I were holding caught that gust and tossed both of us into the creek so I’ll never forget that tournament.
Moag also worked as a finance volunteer in multiple capacities as well as gallery management, the area in which he still volunteers through his role with the “Old Timers.” Over the years, he rubbed shoulders with many of the biggest names in the tournament’s rich history such as comedian Jerry Lewis who was at Sedgefield to play in the Pro-Am and NASCAR legend Richard Petty who attended while his son, Kyle, played in the Pro-Am.
While he no longer handles the public address announcing duties at Guilford College and Western Guilford High School, Moag still actively volunteers as a timer for ACC, NCAA, YMCA and USA Swimming events at the Greensboro Aquatic Center and serves as a docent at the ACC Hall of Champions.
About the Wyndham Championship:
Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was founded in 1938 and is the sixth-oldest event on the PGA TOUR excluding the Majors. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Rewards and presenting sponsor Truist for their continued support. Additional tournament information is available at www.wyndhamchampionship.com and the tournament’s social media channels, including the Wyndham Championship Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.
About Wyndham Rewards:
Named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world’s most generous rewards program with more than 50,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide. Designed for the everyday traveler, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide range of rewards, including free nights at any of approximately 9,000 hotels or tens of thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through affiliation with Wyndham Destinations and others. Wyndham Rewards has over 95 million enrolled members around the globe. Join for free today at www.wyndhamrewards.com. You’ve earned this.®
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts:
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,000 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 819,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 22 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program offers over 95 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
About Wyndham Destinations:
Wyndham Destinations is the world’s largest vacation ownership business with more than 245 vacation club resorts around the world that offer a contemporary take on the timeshare model. The brand portfolio — featuring Club Wyndham®, WorldMark® by Wyndham, Margaritaville Vacation Club® by Wyndham, and Shell Vacations Club — offers travelers the chance to own their vacation and explore places they’ve never visited before, year after year. More than 850,000 owners enjoy stays in a home away from home, featuring spacious suites with separate bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, living and dining areas, as well as resort-style amenities and services. Wyndham Destinations is part of Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL). Learn more at WyndhamDestinations.com.