BROOKINGS — Preparing for the golf event of the year in Sioux Falls takes some work. It’s the behind-the-scenes preparation that many don’t think about or notice but takes considerable time and effort.

For the Sanford International golf tournament, that means setting up viewing areas, putting up fencing and making sure the course is in top shape.

Roughly 50 South Dakota State University students spent time on Sept. 3 and Sept. 5 helping the Minnehaha Country Club and Pro Links Sports prepare for the PGA Tour Champions event.

The students are part of the facilities management course offered in the sport and recreation management program at SDSU. An aspect of the class is getting out of the classroom and seeing what it really takes to put on these large sporting events.

The volunteer opportunity presented mutually beneficial experiences. The students gained hands-on practice in facilities and event management, and the tournament staff gained over 50 eager volunteers to help with tasks that would have otherwise taken hours.

These types of experiences are a “cornerstone” of the program, according to Riley Northrup, instructor in SDSU’s School of Health and Human Sciences.

“The really big piece to connect point A to point B in terms of learning is getting out in the field and seeing it,” Northrup said. He added the students also participate in Jackrabbits Athletics events.

Kassidy Klepper is a senior sport and recreation management student from Austin, Texas. She hopes to work in collegiate recreation beyond graduation and says experiences like these are important for preparing for her future career.

“Recreation isn’t just one thing,” Klepper said. “Being able to experience volunteering or working with other facilities of different types prepares you for different scenarios and different things in the workforce.”

Students helped set up tables and chairs in viewing areas and aesthetic fencing around the course.

“It’s just tremendous to help us achieve the goal and then keep having good success every year,” Davis Trosin, tournament director, said. “As you can imagine with these events, it’s a lot of all hands on deck. It’s nice for us to be able to rely on not only South Dakota State, but other volunteer groups that help us make this thing happen.”

The Sanford International tournament ran from Sept. 9-15.