TAKE A SWING TO VOLUNTEER.

Byline: GREG WILCOX Golf

Golf needs more people like Howard Waniga.

Right here in Los Angeles and right now. A thousand or so ought to do it.

Their services are in demand by the folks organizing the U.S. Senior Open, which will be played next month at Riviera Country Club.

About 2,000 volunteers like Waniga are needed to make sure the tournament runs smoothly, and so far, roughly half that number has been recruited.

This is not good news, and it's a shame. We are carrying blase a little too far.

For example, next year's Senior Open will be played at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Des Moines, Iowa, and already there is a waiting list of volunteers.

Bill Knight, the 1998 championship director, is not going to hit the panic button. Yet.

``I think just as this is a late (ticket) buying market, volunteers come late in the game,'' he said. ``And we are running up against that.''

Some other factors also can account for the volunteer no-shows.

The Nissan Open comes to town every year, there are a couple of other senior tour events in the area and the LPGA tour stops in Glendale; so there is a lot of competition for fan interest. Other stuff, like the Dodgers and Angels, also compete for sports-viewing dollars.

So volunteering in Los Angeles might not be as glamorous as in Des Moines.

But Knight points out that getting up close and personal during a major golfing event is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

``It's not going to come back next year,'' he said.

There is also this to consider. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, two of the greatest players ever, have committed to play at Riviera, a course where neither has won, and it will be their last appearance together in a major championship in Los Angeles.

So follow Waniga's example and you will get so see some great golf on an historic course and probably bank a lifetime's worth of memories.

If you've attended a professional tournament in the Los Angeles area during the past 10 years, chances are you might have crossed paths with Waniga, one of hundreds of officials who staff the merchandise tents, refreshment stands, ticket gates and serve as marshalls.

He was the affable elderly gentleman at Riviera Country Club's Capri Drive gate checking the credentials of players and television crews at the Nissan Open.

But no matter who you are, if you saw Waniga you got a smile and a thank you for coming out to support the tournament and, in turn, the charities that benefited from it.

``I thoroughly enjoy it,'' Waniga said of his volunteer experience. ``I like to be with people anyway so I try to make everyone who comes through feel good. And I thank them for coming.''

There is a cost, though, in time and money.

Volunteers are required to work 16 hours during the tournament and pay a $95 fee, which covers the cost of two specially designed golf shirts, a hat or visor, badge that grants admission to the course during off hours, parking and meals.

Waniga, who quit playing two years ago so he could devote more time to running his business, Light Technology Systems in Van Nuys, considers volunteering a civic responsibility.

``Even though there is a fee for the uniform it's my contribution to the community. I feel it's one way to plow back into the community some kind of gift, in this case time or whatever, or a talent if that's what describes welcoming people.''

And you never know who you might meet.

``A couple of years ago I heard my name called and I turned around and there was Ken (Venturi) and he said I brought this from New York for you,'' Waniga recalled.

It was a CBS golf shirt.

Volunteers are needed to work at a variety of jobs. If you're interested call 1-888-SWING-98.

Fine age: Graham Marsh, the personable Australian who won last year's Senior Open, made a bold prediction during a visit to Riviera this week.``I honestly think that a senior golfer, a guy in his 50s, will win a major championship (on the PGA Tour) before too long,'' Marsh said. ``Now the players in their late 40s have the senior tour to look forward to, rather than thinking about retirement.''

Junior golf: The Woodley Lakes junior golf program is now accepting membership. The cost is $99 for a year and includes PGA instruction in rules, ethics, pitching, chipping, full swing and course strategy. The program is for golfers age seven to 17. Juniors will also represent Woodley in competition with teams from other courses. Information: 787-8163.

THIS WEEK

PGA TOUR

Buick Classic

Site: Harrison, N.Y.

Schedule: Today-Sunday.

Course: Westchester Country Club, West Course (6,722 yards, par 71).

Purse (Winner's share): $1.8 million ($324,000).

Television: USA (Today-Friday, 4-6 p.m., tape) and CBS (Saturday, noon-3 p.m.; Sunday, 1-3 p.m.).

LPGA TOUR

Oldsmobile Classic

Site: East Lansing, Mich.

Schedule: Today-Sunday.

Course: Walnut Hills Country Club (6,191 yards, par 72).

Purse (Winner's share): $650,000 ($97,500).

Television: ESPN (Today-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday, 1-3 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.).

SENIOR PGA TOUR

BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland

Site: Nashville, Tenn.

Schedule: Friday-Sunday.

Course: Springhouse Golf Club (6,783 yards, par 72).

Purse (Winner's share): $1.3 million ($195,000).

Television: NBC (Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.).

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: THIS WEEK (see text)