Northern Illinois University has launched volunteer registration for the 2017 Division I NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships to be held in May right here in Kane County, IL.

The event will take place May 18-31 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

The NCAA championship tournaments will rank among the biggest and most significant sports events ever held in Kane County, featuring the best young golfers in the world under the spotlight of a national television audience. The Golf Channel provided six full days of coverage for the 2016 tournaments held at Eugene Country Club in Oregon, and the coverage is expected to be at least that expansive when the event comes to Sugar Grove.

The 2017 event also will be the first time it’s hosted by Northern Illinois University, with the women’s competition taking place from May 19-24 followed by the men’s competition May 26-31.

Jerry Rich, owner and co-designer of Rich Harvest Farms, said ticket sales for the event are expected to be available soon.

“This is absolutely huge,” he said by telephone Thursday. “I think people don’t yet realize just how big it is, how much fun it’s going to be or how much positive impact it will have for Kane County.”

• To sign up to receive information as the event approaches, join this email list.

More than 2,000 volunteer shifts will be needed to help put on a successful event — and that’s where an opportunity awaits for Kane County golf enthusiasts.

• Click this link to register for an opportunity to volunteer.

Each volunteer will receive a volunteer uniform and grounds tickets to the tournament for your service. Volunteer positions needing to be filled include Walking Scoring, Standard Bearers, Spotters, Shuttle Drivers, Hospitality and Media/Scoring.

Please note that you must be 18 years of age or older and cannot be enrolled in high school to volunteer.

For more information about the tournament, visit the NCAA, Northern Illinois University or Rich Harvest Farm websites.

SOURCE: NCAA, NIU, Rich Harvest Farms

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