Lafayette, Louisiana – The Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Ben Carter as its 2021 USGA P.J. Boatwright intern. Ben’s top priority will be the management of the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour (LJGT), and he will be involved in all aspects of golf administration, including championship operations, USGA Tournament Management, member services, and social media for the 2021 LGA season.
Ben is originally from North Augusta, South Carolina and is a 2020 graduate of Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. At Clemson, Ben majored in Business Management and minored in Sports Communication. Following his graduation in May, Ben started in the golf industry with a position as a traveling intern with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) where he spent four months traveling the northeast and southeast corners of the United States helping conduct the AJGA’s junior golf tournament schedule.
When speaking about this opportunity Ben commented, “I’ve always had a love of golf. From growing up minutes away from Augusta National and being lucky enough to visit it, to playing and watching the sport with my family and friends. This internship is a chance for me to continue my career and also a great opportunity to honor the legacy of P.J. Boatwright and his contribution to the game of golf. I am very excited to start a new chapter and get to work with new people and new experiences.”
Ben’s internship will begin on February 1 and conclude on December 15. The LGA is offering two additional internships in 2021 (6-month and 3-month) and has already filled those positions. Ben will be joined soon by Caroline Buchan of Monroe, Louisiana and Emily Gill of Montgomery, Texas. All three interns will virtually attend the Intern Summit at the USGA Headquarters in Liberty Corner, New Jersey in May.
In 1991, the USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program. This program is designed to give experience to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting Allied Golf Associations in the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry level basis. The Boatwright Internship Program is especially dear to the Louisiana Golf Association. All current LGA staff members are former Boatwright interns, and they know how valuable the program is to the betterment of the game.
“There is no question in my mind that the Boatwright internship program is the single most important program that the USGA has initiated in support of its Allied Golf Associations. We are especially thankful for the USGA’s increase in funding for our organization and the positive impact it allows us to make in Louisiana. The Boatwright internship is a connective tissue between the USGA and its Allied Golf Associations, and it helps us improve services for all golfers at the local level. It also allows us to develop talent in golf administration which ultimately benefits the game. We are excited to welcome Ben to Louisiana and know he will benefit the LGA team this year,” said LGA Executive Director Logan Ray.
Each internship is different, since the needs vary from association to association. An intern may help conduct tournaments, junior golf programs, membership services, and other general activities that promote the best interests of golf. Arrangements for multiple summer employment are possible as well. The common thread, which runs through the internship, is exposure to tournament preparations, tournament administration and post tournament business. The nature of tournament administration will test one’s patience, initiative and decision-making abilities, as well as one’s ability to endure long hours and hard work.
A prospective intern should demonstrate strong managerial potential and a sufficient interest in golf. Golf associations that participate in the Internship Program will provide an appropriate level of orientation and ongoing training and attention. Each intern becomes an employee of the golf association, which will have primary responsibility for recruitment, and sole responsibility for compensation, and supervision. Upon completion of the program, the USGA receives evaluations from both the association and the intern.
Not eligible for hire are golf professionals; USGA employees or their relatives; USGA committee members or their relatives; as well as association and organization employees and officials or their relatives.