In celebration of National Intern Day, the USGA is recognizing the hundreds of interns whose contributions support the organization, while highlighting its continued investment in developing the next generation of talent across the golf and sports industries.
In 2026, the USGA expanded its Pathways initiative with the start of Pathways Launch, a new internship program that creates additional early-career opportunities across the USGA and nine partner organizations. This year, more than 400 interns are serving in roles throughout the organization, representing more than $2.5 million invested in early-career development.
Highlights from the 2026 USGA intern class include:
Pathways Launch welcomed its inaugural class of 24 undergraduate and graduate students, who are completing summer internships across 10 organizations in a variety of disciplines.
140 seasonal interns joined USGA departments including Merchandise, Ticketing, Green Section, Creative Services and more.
Pathways Discover returned for its fifth consecutive year, giving 25 students a 10-day behind-the-scenes experience at the U.S. Open. The program received a record 782 applications from around the world.
Ten of the 25 Pathways Discover participants attend HBCUs, the highest total in the program's history.
The 35th P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship class includes 227 interns across all 55 AGAs, with participants who are 62% male and 38% female.
Since its launch 35 years ago, the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program has produced more than 3,700 alumni. Among the 2025 class, 23 interns accepted full-time positions with Allied Golf Associations following their internships. Today, former Boatwright interns make up 38% of AGA staff, 33% of AGA executive directors and 21 members of the USGA team.
Interns represent a wide range of academic backgrounds, including business, computer science, biology, communications, kinesiology and marketing, bringing diverse perspectives and skills to the organization.
Boatwright alumni now work throughout golf and sports, including with the PGA TOUR, Titleist, Golfweek, NHL and USGA.
The USGA values the fresh perspectives, energy and innovation interns bring to the organization each year. Among this year's standout participants are:
Lariel Green, a Florida A&M University graduate and former multisport athlete, including track, basketball, and flag football. She is spending the summer as a Pathways Launch marketing intern at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, exploring a career in the sports industry.
Tannor McColly, a rising junior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln studying Mechanical & Materials Engineering with a minor in Turfgrass Management, who joined the USGA Green Section in Pinehurst, N.C. through Pathways Launch.
Eric Kleser, a Pathways Discover participant, is a Sports Management student at Suffolk University and Lead Ambassador at The Sports Museum at TD Garden. A retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and Flight Engineer, he is pursuing a career in sports operations and management.
Viva Kreis, a 2025 Arizona State University graduate, participated in the Pathways Discover program. She is a U.S. Air Force officer, member of the Air Force World Class Athlete Program and competitor with the U.S. Women's National Handball Team. She is also the author and illustrator of She Did That!? Amazing Female Athletes from A to Z, a children's book celebrating women in sports.
Thomas Duffy, a Recreation, Sport and Tourism major at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is interning with the Chicago District Golf Association's Foundation and Membership team. An avid golfer, he has competed in the U.S. Adaptive Open for the past four years.
Zach Tackett is currently a Boatwright intern at the West Virginia Golf Association, an organization he grew up familiar with, as his father, Ken Tackett, worked there as an Executive Director for many years, before going on to work as a Chief Referee with the PGA Tour. Zach was inspired to get involved in a golf career after seeing and meeting such a variety of people through the game.
Since the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program was established in 1991, more than $35 million has been invested to strengthen and expand the program. Through the continued support of donors and members, the USGA provides meaningful internship experiences that help shape the future of golf. To support the program and other USGA initiatives, visit usga.org/donate.
To learn more about USGA career development and internship opportunities, visit www.usga.org.