View our GOLFWORKS Interns from 2011

As a sport, golf teaches young people about honor, tradition and an appreciation for the environment. It exposes them to successful role models and teaches them skills they can utilize their entire lives. As an industry, golf offers many exciting career opportunities in the areas of club management, golf course maintenance and as golf professionals. However, it takes more than the occasional golf clinic for the game to have an impact on young people’s lives. GOLFWORKS was created by the MGA Foundation in 1994 to address this challenge and structured to achieve these goals:

• To provide meaningful employment, a good salary and a friendly environment for underprivileged and minority youth;
• To provide exposure to alternative career choices and the skills and contacts necessary to pursue those choices;
• To provide exposure to positive role models and build self-esteem;
• To provide regular exposure to the game and a chance to develop some level of skill, as well as a knowledge of the game’s Rules and etiquette;
• To enable clubs to interact with their communities in a positive way and to enrich and improve the lives of young people who are disadvantaged or "at-risk”;
• To open up the golf industry to a new generation - one that truly reflects our diverse, multi-cultural society.

How It Works

GOLFWORKS is a true intern program designed to give exposure to all areas of club operations. Students are carefully selected by the Foundation from local high schools, community groups and Boys and Girls Clubs. The students work a 10-week paid internship, which may include working with club managers, golf professionals and golf course superintendents. They are also exposed to the game and given opportunities to play. The Foundation is in contact with the students and the clubs throughout the internship and both the students and club personnel evaluate their experiences at the end of the year.
 

How Are We Doing?

GOLFWORKS has impacted the lives of thousands young people. Begun in 1994 with twelve students at six clubs, it has grown to 225 students at 85 clubs. Several students have gone on to careers in agronomy, club management and the culinary arts. Over 40 students have earned valuable college scholarships as a result of their involvement with GOLFWORKS. All students learn new skills and make new friends and valuable contacts that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.  

Former USGA Executive Director David Fay has called GOLFWORKS “one of the best junior golf programs I have ever seen” and he has backed that up with support from the USGA Foundation’s “For The Good of the Game” Grants Program.

With more than 300 golf facilities in the Met Area, the potential for this program is enormous and with adequate funding we could reach 300 kids annually.

GOLFWORKS has the potential to change the lives of thousands of young people and its success is critical to the Foundation achieving its mission to make golf a game for all people.

For more information on GOLFWORKS please contact Jeanne McCooey (jmccooey@mgagolf.org), or Lou Cutolo (lcutolo@mgagolf.org) or Jeff Day (jday@mgagolf.org) of the MGA.