The USGA Green Section was established in 1920 to provide impartial and authoritative agronomic information to golf courses, and to develop scientific information related to golf course turf. A major facet of the Green Section is its Turf Advisory Service (TAS). Eighteen experienced agronomists annually conduct more than 1,800 on-site visits to golf courses across the United States to take research results and practical information on construction and maintenance directly to subscribing clubs and courses.
Each year, the USGA Green Section provides the opportunity for fourteen to seventeen students to travel with members of the Green Section staff on TAS visits for one week between May and August. The goal is to provide students with a broader view of the golf course industry and the opportunity to learn about golf course maintenance through the perspective of the Green Section agronomists. Selected students receive a $250 stipend for the week, and all transportation, hotel, and meal expenses are paid by the USGA.
The USGA regional director and agronomists will interview the candidates from the universities in that region, and one or more students will be selected to participate in the program. The travel week date is flexible and will be mutually agreed upon by the Green Section staff and the student. The selected student travels to the prearranged meeting site on Sunday and returns on Friday of the travel week.
As part of the internship, the student is required to submit a report summarizing the travel experiences during the week. The report is due three weeks following the conclusion of the travel.
Students must meet the following minimum criteria to apply for consideration:
- A sophomore, junior, or senior in a four-year baccalaureate program, or a graduate student majoring in horticulture, agronomy, or a related field. The student must be returning to school the semester following the internship.
- An interest in golf and turfgrass management, and preferably some experience working on a golf course or playing the game.
- Good leadership potential.
Application packets must contain the following materials:
- A cover letter from the student explaining how they got interested in turf and why they would like to participate in the internship program.
- The student’s resume (including the projected graduation date).
- A letter of recommendation from the sponsoring turfgrass professor.
Submit the application to the regional director in the Green Section region where the student’s school is located.
The application deadline is closed for the 2008 Internship Program. Please check back in September 2008 for application information regarding the 2009 program.
Direct questions to Kimberly Erusha, Ph.D., Director of Education, USGA Green Section, at 908-234-2300 or kerusha@usga.org.
USGA Green Section Regions
Florida Region
John Foy, Director
P.O. Box 1087
Hobe Sound, FL 33475-1087
ph. (772) 546-2620
Florida |
North-Central Region
Bob Brame, Director
P.O. Box 15249
Covington, KY 41015-0249
ph. (859)3 56-3272
Indiana
Minnesota
Kentucky
Ohio
Michigan
Wisconsin |
Mid-Atlantic Region
Stan Zontek, Director
485 Baltimore Pike, Suite 203
Glen Mills, PA 19342
ph. (610) 558-9066
Delaware
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Virginia
West Virginia |
Southeast Region
Patrick O'Brien, Director
P.O. Box 95
Griffin, GA 30224-0095
ph. (770) 229-8125
Alabama
Georgia
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee |
Northeast Region
David Oatis, Director
P.O. Box 4717
Easton, PA 18043
ph. (610) 515-1660
Connecticut
New Jersey
Maine
New York
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
New Hampshire
Vermont |
Northwest Region
Larry Gilhuly, Director
5610 Old Stump Drive NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
ph. (253) 858-2266
Alaska
North Dakota
Colorado
Oregon
Hawaii
South Dakota
Idaho
Utah
Montana
Washington
Wyoming |
Mid-Continent Region
Bud White, Director
2601 Green Oak Drive
Carrollton, TX 75010
ph. (972) 662-1138
Arkansas
Missouri
Illinois
Nebraska
Iowa
New Mexico
Kansas
Oklahoma
Louisiana
Texas |
Southwest Region
Pat Gross, Director
505 North Tustin Avenue; Suite 121
Santa Ana, CA 02705
Ph. (714) 542-5766
Arizona
California
Nevada |
