As part of its ongoing efforts to provide a pathway for people of all backgrounds to pursue a career in golf, the USGA has fully funded more than 130 paid internships through its P.J. Boatwright Jr. Program for the 2021 season, available in all 50 states.
Lasting between three and 12 months, these immersive internship experiences are tailored to the unique needs of the 59 Allied Golf Associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Interns may have the opportunity to conduct amateur competitions and junior golf programs, support membership initiatives and much more. A list of 2021 internship opportunities by state can be found here.
AGAs provide invaluable services at the state and regional level. They promote golf for both recreational and competitive players, and the diverse backgrounds of P.J. Boatwright interns are an integral aspect of their ability to grow and support the game. AGAs are responsible for delivering the World Handicap System™ to golfers within their communities, and they also conduct more than 600 qualifiers annually for the USGA’s 14 global championships, which draw tens of thousands of competitors of all ages.
“Despite the challenges that took place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, golf continues to grow and thrive,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “As we celebrate 30 years of the P.J. Boatwright Internship Program, we are thankful to alumnae who have made significant impacts in our industry and look forward to continuing our commitment to cultivate a diverse pool of talent for the long-term health and viability of our game.”
Boatwright alumni include 22 current executive directors at state and regional golf associations and represent almost 40 percent of AGA staff. Fifteen current USGA staff members are also Boatwright alumni.
“To be quite honest, my 15-year career in the golf industry would not have been possible without the USGA grant,” said Tyler Riggin, Southeast director of Regional Affairs for the USGA and a former P.J. Boatwright Intern with the Golf Association of Philadelphia. “The game of golf teaches you so much about life, but the opportunity to work in and around the game teaches you so much more. I am so thankful for the opportunity that this program provided.”
The USGA has invested more than $30 million to provide college students and other qualified applicants with hands-on experience as staff members at the USGA’s network of AGAs over the program’s 30-year history. The value of the internship funding in 2021 totals $1.7 million.
In May and June 2020, the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program created a first-of-its-kind summit for interns through a series of virtual professional development sessions led by over 40 USGA staff members. These sessions included introductions to each of the organization’s key service functions, including Championships, Rules, the Museum, Communications and Marketing. In past years, this summit was held in-person at USGA headquarters in Liberty Corner, N.J.
To learn more about the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program and explore current open roles, click here.
