Post-graduate opportunity furthers diversity in the game and business of golf
Editors: For photos of the 2021 Class of PGA WORKS Fellows, click here.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America announces the 2021 class for the PGA WORKS Fellowship.
Established in 2017, The PGA WORKS Fellowship provides the opportunity for a one-year, paid immersion in a PGA Section’s Foundation operations. This employment experience offers a view of what a career in the golf industry can provide. The PGA WORKS Fellowship aspires to be the most valuable entry-level opportunity for individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry.
PGA Section Offices oversee the 41 regions across the United States. These offices help create the network of communication and community for PGA Members and amateur golfers nationwide.
“PGA WORKS is designed to further diversify the golf industry’s workforce, so it becomes more reflective of the consumers the golf industry collectively aspires to attract,” said PGA WORKS Program Lead Rachel Mabee. “The purpose of PGA WORKS is to inspire individuals from all backgrounds to pursue the exciting career opportunities golf offers.”
The primary responsibilities of this year’s class of PGA WORKS Fellows are 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.
As part of PGA WORKS’ mission, the Fellows are encouraged to continue their careers in golf following their fellowships. Accordingly, Fellows receive direct access to both PGA Career Consultants and personal mentors to help them achieve their career goals.
Past Fellows have worked for GOLFTEC, The Honda Classic, Westchester Country Club, the First Tee and The Club at the Strand, among others golf companies and organizations. Additionally, several Fellows have gone on to work full-time in PGA Section offices throughout the country. Since the program’s inception in 2017, PGA WORKS Fellows have experienced an 80 percent job placement rate following their fellowship.
The 2021 Class of PGA WORKS Fellows includes:
- Brianna Alonso – Jupiter, Fla.; Loyola University Maryland;South Florida PGA Section
- Rachel Beers – Milwaukee, Wis.; University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Saint; Wisconsin PGA Section
- Mackenzie Culhane – Avon, N.Y.; SUNY Brockport; Western New York PGA Section
- Jared Forest – Jackson, N.J.; Temple University; New Jersey PGA Section
- Tasita Garcia – North Hollywood, Calif.; Jackson State University; Southern California PGA Section
- Stanley Garrant – Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Saint Peter’s University; Metropolitan PGA Section
- Hannah Gostonczik – Greensboro, N.C.; University of Wisconsin-Stout; Carolinas PGA Section – Sunny Harris Hutchinson PGA WORKS Fellowship
- Joe Jackson – Bakersfield, Calif.; University of San Francisco; Northern California PGA Section
- Emily Koehler – Vienna, Ohio; Tiffin University; Northern Ohio PGA Section
- Mackenzie Myers – Eureka, Mo.; Westminster College; Gateway PGA Section
- Rachael Nowak – East Lansing, Mich.; Michigan State University; Michigan PGA Section
- Ana Olaya – Stafford, Va.; North Carolina A&T State University; Middle Atlantic PGA Section
- Katie Sharp – Indianapolis, Ind.; Michigan State University; Indiana PGA Section
- Brooke Thomas – Dalton, Ga.; Dalton State; Georgia PGA Section – Paul Millsap PGA WORKS Fellowship
- Benji Vasquez – Fort Worth, Texas; Texas Tech University (graduate school); The University of Oklahoma (undergraduate); South Central PGA Section
- Elizabeth Whan – Denver, Colo.; Southern Methodist University; Colorado PGA Section
For more information on PGA REACH, visit PGAREACH.org.
About PGA WORKS
PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded as one of the pillars of PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events, and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from all backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org.
About PGA REACH
PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to Impact Lives Through Golf. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org and follow @PGAREACH on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact:
Anthony Witrado, PGA of America, awitrado@pgahq.com or 561-446-4763
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com or 732-546-4325
