Nearly 3,000 miles from home, I stood among 96 interns from across the country at the United States Golf Association headquarters in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. Surrounded by artifacts, stories, and traditions that have defined golf for generations, I found myself at the intersection of the game's past, present, and future.
The evening marked the beginning of the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Intern Summit, a gathering that brought together interns from 55 Allied Golf Associations. As conversations echoed through the halls of the USGA Golf Museum, I listened to fellow interns share stories about their hometowns, associations, and the paths that had brought them to golf. Around us stood some of the game's most treasured pieces of history. The museum itself, the oldest golf museum in the United States, serves as a living timeline of golf, preserving championship trophies, historic memorabilia, and the stories of the people who shaped the game we know today.
Only a week before, I had begun my nine-month internship with the Northern California Golf Association as a P.J. Boatwright Intern in Membership & Marketing. Based in Monterey, California—an area often referred to as Golf's Golden Coast—I was learning the ins and outs of an organization dedicated to serving golfers throughout Northern California. Between the rugged Pacific coastline, iconic golf courses, and deep-rooted golf culture, there are few places more connected to the game.
The following three days consisted of presentations, discussions, competitions, and networking opportunities designed to provide a deeper understanding of the golf industry. I listened as USGA leaders, association executives, former interns, donors, and members of the Boatwright family shared their experiences and career journeys. While each speaker came from a different corner of the industry, many returned to the same themes: stay curious, build relationships, take initiative, and make the most of every opportunity.
The first day at USGA headquarters introduced us to some of the most important functions supporting the game behind the scenes. We learned how players move from local qualifiers to national championships, how handicaps create fair competition among golfers of different abilities, and how championship moments are captured and shared with audiences around the world. We explored the business side of golf through merchandising and partnerships, gaining an appreciation for the planning, branding, and relationships that help sustain the game. Later that afternoon, the summit shifted from presentations to participation as interns gathered for the First Tee Challenge and the annual Putting Championship. What appeared to be friendly competition quickly became a lesson in teamwork, communication, adaptability, and attention to detail.
By the second day, the legacy of the Boatwright program began to reveal itself through the people who had gathered to support it. Former Boatwright interns reflected on the experiences that shaped their careers and the opportunities that emerged from relationships they built along the way. During the Leadership Development Panel, donors and members of the Boatwright family shared why they continue investing in future generations of golf leaders and emphasized the importance of attitude, character, and service. Throughout the morning, sessions on GHIN and the U.S. National Development Program demonstrated how technology, player support, and long-term athlete development are helping shape the future of the game.
By midday, we boarded buses and traveled to Watchung Valley Golf Club, where the classroom moved from the auditorium to the golf course itself. Standing alongside agronomists, championship administrators, rules officials, and communications professionals, we gained a firsthand look at the work required to prepare courses, conduct championships, tell stories, and support golfers at every level. Walking the property and rotating through the various breakout stations helped connect many of the concepts we had discussed throughout the week to the environments where they come to life.
The summit concluded back at USGA headquarters with remarks from CEO Mike Whan. After three days of learning, networking, and seeing the game from entirely new perspectives, his message felt especially fitting. Growth rarely happens within the boundaries of comfort. Whether in golf, internships, or life, meaningful opportunities often begin when you are willing to embrace uncertainty and challenge yourself. His encouragement to get comfortable being uncomfortable served as a fitting conclusion to a week dedicated to learning, growth, and discovering the many paths a career in golf can take.
As the week came to a close, I found myself reflecting on that first evening inside the USGA Golf Museum. Standing among 96 interns from across the country, I was surrounded by a diverse group of people, each bringing their own experiences, perspectives, and aspirations to the Summit. Yet after three days of learning, conversations, and shared experiences, I realized we all had something important in common. We had arrived from different corners of the country and different corners of the golf industry, but we were all pursuing the same opportunity: the chance to learn, grow, and discover where we might fit within the game.
The P.J. Boatwright Jr. Intern Summit provided much more than an introduction to golf administration. It offered a glimpse into the countless ways people dedicate their careers to supporting and growing the game. More importantly, it connected a group of interns to a network of professionals who were once in our position and are now helping shape the future of golf.
Standing at the intersection of golf's past, present, and future, I left with a broader perspective on both the game and my own future. The Summit reinforced that success is rarely defined by a single job title or career path. Instead, it is shaped by the relationships we build, the opportunities we pursue, and the attitude we bring to each experience. As I return to the NCGA, I am excited to apply those lessons throughout my internship and remain open to the many possibilities that may emerge along the way.