Not that the CWGA was by any means saying hip-hip-hooray about Vivian Heggie’s hip problems in recent years, but they did result in an ever-more-devoted volunteer.
Heggie used to play more golf than she does these days. She calls the Riverdale Golf Courses her home facility, but three hip surgeries in the last six years have curtailed her number of rounds. But because she loves being around the game and the people, and being involved with the Rules of Golf, the result has been an increase in the time she donates for CWGA events.
“I don’t play as much golf, so my time is more available,” Heggie noted recently.
In part because of that devotion — and her dedication to making the experience of participating in CWGA events as pleasant as possible — Heggie was recently awarded the CWGA Volunteer of the Year Award.
“Vivian is the most dedicated, passionate, enthusiastic and nutsy person,” CWGA executive director Laura Robinson said with a smile. “She stayed out at last year’s U.S. Women’s Open qualifier for more than 10 hours in the rain and cold. We kept trying to rescue her. She is there when we ask her to be — helping the golfers and making sure everyone has a great experience.
“She’s as enthusiastic about the Rules as she is knowledgeable.”
Last year, Heggie devoted a dozen days to CWGA volunteer work, mainly as a rules official working CWGA championships and USGA qualifiers. That was the most by anyone in 2016. (Heggie is pictured above in a yellow shirt-collar with Sandy Schnitzer, who chairs the CWGA Rules Committee.)
What draws Heggie to play such an active role?
“Staying in touch with golf as much as anything,” she said. “It’s a delightful time — peaceful and quiet. I love being on the golf course. I don’t play as much anymore, but I want to stay in touch with people I know.”
Heggie has served on the CWGA Rules Committee since 2003. Over the years since, she said she’s worked events at more than 50 courses around the state.
“Our winner (Heggie) personifies dedication to the game of golf and dedication to making sure the players are well looked after and that they have a memorable experience,” CWGA president Juliet Miner said at the CWGA Annual Meeting last month. “It takes more than knowledge of the Rules to be a good rules official. It takes tact and the appropriate way to deliver a difficult message at times. Of course, it always helps if you have a delightful English accent (like Heggie). It takes perseverance and patience, and great respect for the players.”
Heggie is a native of England, but as a young woman she was traveling in the U.S. with the plan on proceeding to New Zealand. But she never made it that far. She ended up getting married and settling in Colorado in 1965. Since then, she’s lived in Aspen, Glenwood Springs and Durango before putting down roots in Thornton, her current residence.
Back in her native England, Heggie was a fine player as a girl. In fact, by the time she was 16, she owned roughly a 4 handicap. But when she started beating the boys, she largely gave up the game, not picking it up again and playing regularly until about age 40. Subsequently, for many years, Heggie was a regular competing in the CWGA Brassie and Mashie best-ball championships.
In recent years, Heggie’s hip issues have limited her to about a half-dozen rounds per year. But her interest in the Rules of Golf have filled the void regarding the game.
“The Rules have always fascinated me,” she said when asked what prompted her to start volunteering for the CWGA. “If you really pay attention to the Rules, they can help you rather than hinder you. I thought it would be a good fit for me. And I had friends on the Rules Commitee.”
Heggie has a unique perspective on the role of a rules official.
“I’ve always felt being a rules person is a cross between a mailman and a roadside assistant,” she said. “You’re not stopped by weather and you’re out there to help people. ‘Can I help you and what can I do to make it easier for you?’ I go out there with that attitude.”
Being “fascinated” by the Rules, Heggie is among the rules officials who have followed the USGA’s current Rules modernization process with considerable interest. On March 1, the USGA and R&A announced many proposed Rules changes, but they will accept public input on them through Aug. 31, and later will decide which changes will be implemented and which will be shelved.
“I look forward to change always,” Heggie said. “When I first saw (the proposed changes), I printed it all out (to study more thoroughly). I was basically in favor of most of the things, and there were a few I felt very strongly are absurd. I think dropping a ball from 2 inches is absurd; you might as well place it. But I like the rule about the ball being accidentally moved on the putting green (and no penalty resulting). And I like reducing the maximum length of a ball search to three minutes. But there are just some things in there that don’t make sense to me. I don’t think all of them will go into effect necessarily.
“I haven’t yet commented to the USGA, but I plan to,” Heggie added.
Meanwhile, Heggie is gearing up for another big season of volunteering in CWGA events. She plans on working 11 or 12 tournament days, in addition to helping at a rules seminar and one of the CWGA Experience events.
“When you volunteer, you don’t expect accolades for it,” she said. “It’s one thing I enjoy doing.”
