All Quiet on Hole No. 18

Please, no talking around Ed Rae.

At least not when a pro golfer is within earshot. Rae, 57, of Bethpage, is a volunteer this week at The Barclays Tournament at . The PGA Tour event begins Thursday with .

The park opened to fans for the first time Tuesday as during a practice round. 

It's clear this week is as much about  as the world-class golf that will be on display. 

Rae was stationed at the 18th hole. It's his job to silence the crowd once golfers are ready to drain a putt. He's armed with a paddle sign that screams out QUIET -- and he's not afraid to use it.

Why take on such a challenging job in the age of jeers and cell phones?

"I'm an avid golf fan," said Rae, who owns a print shop.

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Rae also volunteered at the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens. He even plays Bethpage Black once a year.

And when Phil Mickelson passed through Tuesday, stopping to sign autographs for fans on the way to the clubhouse, Rae and his fellow volunteers were there to keep the crowd at bay.

He may have been silent on the outside, but you knew it was moments like this one that had Rae giddy on the inside.

Follow The Barclays from our Bethpage Black topics page.