From England to Switzerland to the San Francisco Bay Area, Andrew Taylor’s journey has spanned the globe — but each February, he finds himself right at home inside the ropes at the WM Phoenix Open. A longtime Shotlink expert and seasoned tournament volunteer with experience at events from Napa to Pebble Beach, Andrew brings leadership, precision, and passion to one of the PGA TOUR’s most electrifying stages. Now entering his fifth year with the tournament, he shares what keeps him coming back to the Greatest Show on Grass.

Where are you from and where do you currently live? 

I was born in England and moved to the U.S. as a young boy.  My dad was in aerospace so we moved around a fair bit until I reached Junior High.  I consider Switzerland as a second home after spending 20 years there working for UN organizations in Geneva.  Home is currently the San Francisco Bay Area.

How many years have you volunteered for the WM Phoenix Open? 

My first year was 2022, though I have served as committee chair at the Napa tournament since 2013 and I have also volunteered at Pebble Beach and several LPGA events.

All in the same role/area or have you volunteered in many different capacities?

I have always worked on the Shotlink side, primarily for what used to be lasers and I have also done some stints for walking scorers.

What is your current volunteer role for 2026 and what did you do at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open?

This year was my fourth year as a Shotlink chair.  For 2026, my main focus will be serving as chair of the Shotlink Mobile Spotters and also helping out with the Walking Scorers.  The Tour has invested heavily in new technology for the Shotlink system. The newest evolution uses Trackman and cameras on each hole which has eliminated the need for volunteers to be operating lasers, but the Spotters still have a critical role as the cameras have limited field of view.

What is your favorite memory as a volunteer at the WM Phoenix Open? 

For sheer electricity, there is nothing like the feeling of entering the 16^th hole stadium for the first time.  But overall, the lasting memories are being part of the greatest tournament on the PGA TOUR calendar.  I feel so lucky to have a volunteer leadership role as part of the WM Phoenix Open.

Why should people volunteer at the WM Phoenix Open? 

The Open raises a huge amount of money each year for local charities, so it is a meaningful way of giving back to the Phoenix community.  For the Shotlink volunteers, you get to be inside the ropes and cannot be closer to the action.  If you are a fan of golf, it does not get any better than being a volunteer at the Open.  Kudos to The Thunderbirds for what they do every year.

What makes the WM Phoenix Open different from other volunteer opportunities? 

I am usually all over the course during each day and the size of the crowds is unbelievable.  I watched the tournament for many years on television, but nothing compares to being there in person.  The roars of the crowd from 16, the stadium course layout, the size of the hospitality suites and the size of our volunteer pool.  When you are a volunteer, it’s fun to just take it all in.

Have you met a lot of PGA TOUR pros/celebs from your time as a volunteer? 

Not many, though one time does stand out when I was volunteering at the Napa tournament.  I crossed paths with Jason Day as he was heading to the driving range and he stopped to thank me for being a volunteer and we chatted for a few minutes.

What keeps you coming back to volunteer? 

I love being part of the Shotlink team as we interface directly with PGA TOUR staff.  Our committee typically fills very quickly with over 200 volunteers each year. I have a great time working with my two assistant chairs as well.  We are all happy to help and to just be a small part of the Open’s success.

What is the best part about volunteering at the WM Phoenix Open? 

The Open truly is the Greatest Show on Grass and the atmosphere is like no other tournament.  By the end of the tournament, we are running off of pure adrenaline after four consecutive days of early mornings and late finishing times, but we are already looking forward to the next year. Meeting so many different people and being part of it makes all the hours more than worth it!

Wildest moment as a volunteer at the WM Phoenix Open?

The chaos of a hole in one at 16.  And it is fun to see the enthusiasm of people lining up at the entrance when it is still dark outside.

Has volunteering led to any lifelong friendships?

I now play golf regularly with a couple of volunteers I have met through the years.  Volunteering for any committee is a tremendous opportunity to share our love of golf and volunteering.  Just bring your energy and enthusiasm and you will have a great time at any tournament.

Anything else? 

If you love golf, either volunteering or attending the Open should be part of any bucket list.