USGA Pathways: Launching the Next Generation of Golf Leaders
The USGA is proactively expanding opportunities within the golf industry through the USGA Pathways Internship program. In collaboration with eight other major golf entities, including the PGA Tour and LPGA, the USGA has announced a new internship program. This program is designed to cultivate future leaders and provide valuable experience for students interested in pursuing careers in golf and sports.
Pathways Launch Program: Widening the Pipeline
The Pathways Launch program is designed to “widen the pipeline of golf’s future leaders,” according to a USGA press release. This initiative is the latest move in the USGA’s investment in growing the next generation of leadership in golf, with an eye on giving more golf-career opportunities to people from all backgrounds.
Program Overview
Pathways Launch represents a significant step forward in the USGA's ongoing commitment to foster inclusivity and opportunity within the golf industry. The program builds upon the foundation laid by the original USGA Pathways Program, launched in 2022. As Pathways enters its fourth year, the USGA is not letting up on its commitment to provide opportunities for those interested in working in the game.
Key Features
Pathways Launch is a three-month paid internship that will target undergraduate and graduate students in nine participating organizations who demonstrate an aptitude for growth and leadership and have a desire to work in golf/sports. Each intern will be hired by the supporting organization, giving them in-field experience and direct networking opportunities.
The program will focus on leadership training, mentorship and developing hard skills. Interns also can receive help with the cost of housing to open the door to applicants who would otherwise not apply. The internships will give students first-hand experience in the field and provide them with networking opportunities.
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Collaboration and Support
The USGA is collaborating with eight other major golf entities, including the PGA Tour and LPGA, to expand pathways into golf. The hourly wage for each intern is funded by the USGA and other participating organizations.
Eligibility and Application Process
The Pathways Launch program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated leadership potential and have a strong interest in working in the golf or sports industries.
Applications for the internship’s initial 2026 class are now open and will close on November 14, 2025. Shortlisted Pathways Launch candidates will be invited to the USGA’s Liberty Corner, N.J., office with representatives from the participating organizations for a final recruiting event in mid-January 2026.
Recruiting Event
Finalists will be invited to a recruiting event at the USGA’s headquarters in Liberty Corner, N.J.
USGA's Commitment to Career Development
The Pathways Launch program was developed from the USGA’s Pathways Program, which launched in 2022 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. The USGA has invested more than $75 million in career development programs since 1991. In addition to the USGA Pathways in Golf Program, the USGA annually funds more than 150 paid long-term internships through the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program across its network of 58 Allied Golf Associations, providing qualified applicants of all backgrounds with direct experience as staff members at state and regional golf associations.
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P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program
Other career development initiatives supported by the USGA include the P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Internship Program. The USGA annually funds more than 300 paid internships across the country, including nearly 200 interns who are taking part in this year’s P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program.
Educational Initiatives
The USGA supports educational initiatives. Open in Brookline, Mass., the educational experience will continue to be led by the USGA and supported by its global partners.
Championship Internship
Looking for hands-on experience in sports? Check out a Championship internship! The USGA’s championship community engagement strategy demonstrates the USGA’s work for the good of the game and ensures a lasting impact in the regions it serves. Open will provide an invaluable experience for interns looking to kickstart their sports careers.
Deloitte's Support
Following the success of the internship’s launch in 2022, Deloitte*, proud to be the official professional services provider of the USGA, will join the program as a foundational supporter to help drive greater inclusion in golf. Participants will spend a day at the local Deloitte office alongside Deloitte practitioners to better understand their own working styles using Business Chemistry and explore how trends in business and technology play out in the sports industry, particularly through the USGA relationship.
NBC Sports and NBCU Academy Partnership
Through the USGA’s relationship with NBC Sports and the NBCU Academy, participants learn about various careers in sports from a panel of industry experts and network with executives and leaders.
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Impact and Success Stories
The USGA Pathways Internship was a turning point in my career. It helped me see the golf industry as a real option for me as I looked to transition from the world of education to working in sports,” said Rob Davalos, 2023 Pathways intern and now general manager of MNML Golf. Program alumni now hold full time positions across the golf and wider sports landscapes, including with the USGA, PGA Tour, NBCUniversal, Allied Golf Associations, Excel Sports Management and elsewhere.
The USGA's Commitment to Inclusivity
Many began their experience with little knowledge of the golf industry, and backgrounds that have largely been underrepresented in the sport. The 2022 inaugural class of the program included an international cohort of students from 22 institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other accredited universities across the United States with many having little to no experience with the game. The USGA recognizes the need to prioritize career development programs to funnel individuals from underrepresented communities into the game.
USGA's Mission and Values
As a nonprofit organization, the USGA is united by a shared commitment to act for the good of the game. Our mission is enacted every day by the USGA’s most important asset - our people. The office has a variety of modern meeting and social spaces.
Liberty Corner, N.J. Campus
Our New Jersey campus sits on 189 acres in Liberty Corner. The office has a variety of modern meeting and social spaces. programs and resources that support professional achievement and personal well-being at every stage of life.
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