MONTGOMERY-It is easy to say that most people are still in bed at 5:45 a.m., but Auburn University at Montgomery head baseball coach Q.V. Lowe and several of his players were not only up this morning, but ready to go to work at the LPGA Navistar Classic.

For the second consecutive year the AUM baseball team will serve as volunteers at the event. On Thursday and Friday the players worked when it did not interfere with their classes, with some working the early morning shift and others working the afternoon. All the players will work either on Saturday or Sunday since there are no classes on those days.

The event draws some of the largest names in women's golf, players such as Lorena Ochoa, Natalie Gulbis and Michelle Wie. But the event would not go on without the countless numbers of volunteers.

"I think this is one of the many ways we can give back to the community," Lowe said. "With all of the people that attend the golf tournament and all of the help that is needed, I think it is one of the best community relations projects we can do."

Some players are used down each side of the fairways and help find balls that miss the fairways while others work the tee areas and still others work around the greens. The lucky ones actually drive carts around to deliver items.

Sophomore Robby Boswell worked the tee box on hole number five and had the opportunity to watch the players up close.

"I have seen several players come through and look forward to seeing all the players and watching  them hit the ball," Boswell said. So far all the players that I have seen hit the ball a long way."

Senior Matt Arrighi has worked the event each year and now knows the days can get long, but he also knows what to expect.

"Sometimes it can get hot on the course," Arrighi said. "But I enjoy being out here especially when it is nice like it is today and watching some really good golfers."

Several of the LPGA events have lost their sponsorship over the past few years and have seen several of the events not being played. That will not be the case for this event as the day before the classic started, there was an announcement Navistar would continue its title sponsorship again next year so the event will take place once again in Prattville at the Senator Course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

"I was glad to hear the tournament would be played again next year," Lowe said. "I expect us to be back here and we will once again wear our AUM caps so people know how much AUM supports the community and this golf tournament."

-AUM-