Work ethic, dependability in Bass’ favor for honor
In one way, it was the longest year of Olivia Bass’ life.
When the 2023 Players Championship closed, the Mandarin High School senior and member of the Mustangs’ golf team found out that the tournament’s Standard Bearer committee had named her the Standard Bearer of the Year.
She was obviously thrilled. But as is the custom, she had to wait a year for the perks: she got to pick which group to walk with in each of the first two rounds, and on the weekend, she was the standard bearer for the final two rounds.
That means she carried the board with the names of Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark both days.
“It was pretty difficult to wait a year,” she said Sunday before setting out for her fourth walk around the Players Stadium Course in four days. “When I found out I was excited. I was ready for the tournament to be here and have this opportunity. Waking up at 6 a.m. is hard but it’s easier when I know what I’m going to be doing the rest of the day.”
Committee chair praises Olivia’s work ethic
Alicia Bradley, the standard bearer committee chairman, said Olivia has earned it.
“She’s very dependable, shows up on time and she’s always helping the younger volunteers with their pouch [which holds the numbers] and their belt,” Bradley said. “Since the time she started she has always stood out as someone who is very excited to be here.”
Olivia also volunteered at the Constellation Furyk & Friends PGA Tour Champions event.
Olivia Bass is a huge Jordan Spieth fan
When it came to picking her earlyround groups, Olivia didn’t hesitate in taking Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland — mostly because she’s a huge Spieth fan.
“I started playing golf around 8 or 9 years old, when he was winning the Masters and the FedEx Cup,” she said. “I watch every round [he plays] that I can. Being able to walk with him was something I didn’t want to pass up. I love his short game. I wish I had that.”
There have been Players Championship volunteers who started as standard bears. Bradley wouldn’t put that past Olivia in the future.
“I think anything Olivia wants to do and sets her mind to it, she’s going to do it,” Bradley said.