27 recent college and university graduates from diverse backgrounds get their first opportunities to enter the golf industry
FRISCO, Texas – The PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, has announced the 2024 class for the PGA WORKS Fellowship.
The PGA WORKS Fellowship, established in 2017, provides the opportunity for a one-year paid immersion in a PGA of America Section’s Foundation operations. PGA Sections oversee the 41 regions of the PGA of America across the United States and help create the network of communication and community for PGA of America Golf Professionals and amateur golfers nationwide.
The PGA WORKS Fellowship is one of the most valuable entry-level opportunities for individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry. The Fellowship gives recent college and university graduates a first-hand look at everything that a career in the $102 billion golf industry can provide.
The primary responsibilities of this year’s 27 PGA WORKS Fellows will be to support and execute philanthropic initiatives for the charitable foundations of their respective PGA Sections. This includes assisting with marketing, communications and fundraising activities, as well as PGA HOPE programming for Veterans and junior golf initiatives such as PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip & Putt.
“Our PGA WORKS Fellowship program has become an incredible resource for recent college graduates to get their foot in the door within the golf industry and make real contributions to their local communities and PGA of America Sections,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “The Fellows experience how meaningful a career in golf is and the majority continue down that path following their Fellowship. I’m looking forward to seeing the future success of our 27 Fellows.”
As part of PGA WORKS’ mission, Fellows are encouraged to continue their careers in golf following their fellowships with direct access to both PGA of America Career Consultants and mentors to help them achieve their career goals. In the history of the PGA WORKS Fellowship, 82 percent of all Fellows have acquired jobs within the golf industry, and 85 percent have acquired full-time positions upon completing their fellowship. 56 percent of fellows have secured jobs at a PGA Section.
Past Fellows have gone on to work for Titleist, the First Tee, the Texas Golf Association and the PGA Tour, among other golf companies and sporting organizations. Additionally, several Fellows work full-time in PGA Section Offices across the country. Others have continued their education in graduate school.
Currently, four PGA WORKS Fellows Alumni have landed jobs working for the Association at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas: Cameron Dinkins, PGA WORKS Leader; Iyannei Miranda, PGA WORKS Program Coordinator; Caroline Riggs, PGA REACH Events Coordinator; and Cameron Jones, Membership Representative.
2024 Class of PGA WORKS Fellows
Maddy Anderson; Waukesha, Wis.; Western Illinois University (UG) / University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (Masters); Wisconsin PGA Section
Amber Bogle; Lincoln, Neb.; Bellevue University; Nebraska PGA Section
Hannah Corso; Winchester, Mass.; University of Massachusetts Amherst; New England PGA Section
Kika Dzoan; Tracy, Calif.; Metropolitan State University of Denver; Colorado PGA Section
Rachel Dupree; Shreveport, La.; Oral Roberts University; South Central PGA Section
Camryn Eddy; Cincinnati, Ohio; University of Kentucky; Gateway PGA Section
Aron Gianchandani; Watchung, N.J.; Muhlenberg College; New Jersey PGA Section
Hayley Guilinger; Thomson, Ill.; Culver Stockton University (UG) / Western Illinois University (Masters); Michigan PGA Section
Taylor Harvey; Phoenix, Ariz.; Prairie View A&M University (UG) / Delaware State University (Masters); Sun Country PGA Section
Jordan Haynes; Lithia, Fla.; Florida State University; Georgia PGA Section
Emily Jones; Cleveland, Ohio; University of Dayton; Northern Ohio PGA Section
Abbie Kludt; Hettinger, N.D.; Dickinson State University (UG) / Syracuse (Masters); Western New York PGA Section
Presley Ladner; Canton, Miss.; Louisiana State University; Gulf States PGA Section
Carli Lynch; Needham, Mass..; Methodist University; South Florida PGA Section
Kara Madden; Leesburg, Va.; University of Mississippi; Middle Atlantic PGA Section
Destiny McLeod; Philadelphia, Pa.; Penn State University; Kentucky PGA Section
Nic Mendez; Pembroke Pines, Fla.; University of Central Florida; North Florida PGA Section
Vuyo Mondi; Northcliff, South Africa; Arizona State University (UG) / Ohio University (Masters); Southern Ohio PGA Section
Alexandra Mudie; Dundee, Scotland; William Carey University (UG) / University of Southern Mississippi (Masters); Southern Texas PGA Section
Seely Murphy; Albany, Ga.; Georgia Southern University; Northern Texas PGA Section
Zoe Rogers; Shelton, Conn.; Saint Michael’s College; Metropolitan PGA Section
Amanda Schaare; Clinton, Mich.; University of Michigan (UG) / Wake Forest University (Masters); Intersport
Nyah Singh; Nassau, The Bahamas; Lincoln University; Indiana PGA Section
Cami Terkildsen; Wheaton, Ill.; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Carolinas PGA Section
Cassandra Vogel; Bellefonte, Pa.; Millersville University; Philadelphia PGA Section
Casey Ware; Fulton, N.Y.; Syracuse University; Central NY PGA Section
Valentina Wilson; San Diego, Calif.; Penn State University; Southern California PGA Section
For more information on PGA REACH, visit PGAREACH.org.