Written By: Lauren Shelly | @AJGAcareers
The AJGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The Association is the largest organization of its kind with a membership of more than 6,000 juniors from 49 states and over 50 foreign countries.
In 2016, the AJGA will conduct 116 tournaments and 68 qualifiers across the United States. The AJGA’s staff is respected and viewed with great admiration by parents, players, sponsors and the golf industry as evidenced by us being recognized as a top workplace in the Atlanta area by the Atlanta Journal Constitution for the fourth time in 2016.
The AJGA is not only “developing the next generation” of golfers, we are also helping to launch careers in sports, and specifically the golf industry.
The internship program is the backbone of the AJGA. Of our current 62 full-time employees, 52 have completed an AJGA internship. This nationwide, hands-on, traveling internship requires candidates to be on their toes at all times. Not only do they interact with junior golfers, they also network with sponsors, stakeholders, volunteers, golf courses and many more.
Over the years, AJGA employees have moved on to positions within the PGA Tour, USGA, PGA of America, LPGA, state/local golf associations, college coaches and even Augusta National. With a wide variety of tasks including; on-course rules officiating, golf course set-up, media and public relations and tournament operations, interns don't work a typical nine to five schedule. The traveling staff assists with all aspects of the tournaments over the course of the spring and summer seasons. It is a vital part of helping the AJGA continue its growth and expansion of playing opportunities for golf's “Next Generation”.
The AJGA has been working with the NCCGA for the last three years to help club golf participants get their foot into the golf industry. Since the partnership, two former Regional Coordinators, Johnny Garstka (Clemson University) and Bobby Puchner (University of Wisconsin – Madison), have been hired full-time after completing an internship. In 2016, we will have five club golf members participating in our spring or summer internship program.
Former NCCGA Regional Coordinators Johnny Garstka (back row, second to left) and Bobby Puchner (far left) received full-time positions with the AJGA after their internships.
The AJGA is no longer accepting applications for the 2016 season, but please visit www.ajga.org/careers to learn more about the opportunities that will become available in August 2017, and keep an eye on the Nextgengolf job board.
If you are attending the NCCGA National Championship, stop by the AJGA booth to receive some more information. They will be providing free food at the kickoff party for all the club golfers, so please take the time to say "Thank You" and learn more about the opportunities available.
For any further information or questions, please contact Lauren Shelly, Director of Recruiting and Special Events via lshelly@ajga.org .