PORT ST. LUCIE PEOPLE
The VOLUNTEER
Terry Roberts was nominated for the National Philanthropy Day Unsung Hero award for his selfless volunteering at the Saints Golf Course in Port St. Lucie.
It was really no surprise that Terry Roberts was nominated
by pro shop manager David O’Kelley at the Saints Golf
Course for the National Philanthropy Unsung Hero
award. He is, after all, the first person golfers meet when they
arrive at the course as he helps unload their clubs from their
cars and gets them settled in their carts.
His smiling face and engaging personality energizes them
for their rounds of golf and sets the tone for the rest of the
game.
“We rely heavily on our volunteers and Terry is always
dependable and very knowledgeable about golf,” O’Kelley
said. “As a hospitality attendant he’s responsible for making
a memorable first impression. He’s all about customer service
and an invaluable asset to our organization.”
While Roberts was honored, he humbly admits that he gets
more out of volunteering at the golf course than they do.
“I love the camaraderie with all the different guys from all
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE
over the United States,” he said.
“I come from a recreational background, but others are
lawyers, teachers, accountants, and from all walks of life. The
diversity of the volunteers and players is stimulating and I
look forward to every Monday and Saturday when I spend
time with them at the course.”
Roberts is no stranger to volunteering. He’s been doing it in
one capacity or another for nearly half a century.
“I started volunteering in my late teenage years coaching
sports and participating in civic organizations,” he explained.
“I fell in love with helping others.”
While in college Roberts briefly worked in construction.
“It didn’t take me long to figure out that I didn’t want
to do that for the rest of my life,” he said with a chuckle. “I
decided to follow my heart and pursue a career in leisure
services and did that for 37 years.”
He worked with parks and recreation departments in
38 Port St. Lucie Magazine
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BY KERRY FIRTH