2026 Turf Across America with PGA WEST and Union League

2026 Turf Across America,

A PGA WEST and Union League Agronomy Internship Experience

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Union League of Philadelphia and PGA WEST are teaming up to provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to fast track the agronomic learning experience in a unique, 1-year program. The program will involve working for 6-months in two unique locations (NJ and CA), each focusing on exposing participants to a wide array of turfgrass experiences. As an added bonus to the program, the travel between NJ and CA will involve touring several top facilities across America, making a podcast about your trip, and publishing an article about your experience with Guy Cipriano from GCI Magazine when finished.

The program will include:

65/1/25 – 10/15/26: Union League Experience

• All facets of Golf Course Maintenance
• Involvement in planning of new maintenance facility
• Learn agronomics and maintenance principals on native sandy soils
• Full involvement in chemical planning and application
• Full course moisture management
• Irrigation troubleshooting and programming education from Herb Phillips, one of the best irrigation techs in the country as well as exposure to brand new state of the art pump station
• Gain aptitude in all cultural practices (aerification, topdressing, etc.)
• Tournament volunteer experience
• Time in the shop with the equipment technicians to understand how to ensure quality of cut is perfect daily
• Trips to the other two Union League golf courses to network and learn different methods

Turf Across America 

Drive from NJ to CA and experience course tours / stays at these clubs: 

The Country Club Cleveland, Ohio

Golf Course Industry Magazine Headquarters Cleveland, Ohio

Chicago Golf Club Wheaton, IL

Sand Hills Golf Club Mullen, NE

Castle Pines Golf Club Castle Rock, CO

Shadow Creek Golf Course Las Vegas, NV

11/1/26 – 3/1/27: PGA WEST Experience 

• https://www.pgawest.com/
• Warm and cool season turf
• Fall overseed / Spring transition
• PGA Tour event: American Express (January 2024). https://www.theamexgolf.com/
• Resort course experience
• Public courses experience
• Private course experience
• Multi-course operation
• Construction / renovation projects
• Irrigation renovations and upgrades
• Management company experience (Century Golf Partners) 

Upon successful completion of the program, the candidates may have opportunities to continue employment with either of the companies at locations throughout the U.S. and you will have networked with over 40 turf professionals along the way.

Compensation

• Hourly wage: $18
• Housing Included
• Uniforms
• Some travel from NJ to CA covered
• Golfing Privileges

Education Requirements

• Actively seeking enrollment, currently enrolled, or a graduate of a Turfgrass Management certificate program or Turfgrass Science associates or bachelor’s degree or related field

ABOUT THE UNION LEAGUE

Union League National Golf Club is seeking a committed individual to become an integral part of daily operations at the club. Candidates will experience an unmatched workplace culture and gain a bank of knowledge and industry connections that will bode well going forward in their careers.  

Located just two miles from the beaches of Avalon, New Jersey, ULN is a subsidiary golf club of the Union League of Philadelphia. The Union League as a whole is the #1 City Club in America and boasts over 4,000 members from across the United States. National is a newly reimagined 27 hole renovation by Dana Fry and Jason Straka located in Swainton, New Jersey, completed Summer of 2022.  The Master Plan will include a 10 hole short course, new practice facilities including Trackman Range and half-acre putting course as well as irrigation pond extension, construction of new maintenance facility, pumphouse, and clubhouse.

“Nothing about Union League National is normal,” said Dana Fry on the project which has included a huge earthmoving effort — more than 1.6 million cubic yards — to create ‘The Big Fill’ at the center of the 268-acre property. Rising 78 feet above the original grade, this huge fill area spreads out in various directions through man-made ridgelines, with plateaus and smaller ridges filtering off.  - Golf Course Architecture Magazine

Candidates will also work closely alongside Equipment and Irrigation technicians to gain insight into everyday preventative and reactionary maintenance of mowing equipment as well as the new Toro 2-wire irrigation system and pumphouse.  Individuals who are entering their final year in their educational program may be offered an entry level management position following their time at PGA West.

ABOUT PGA WEST

Long recognized as the Western Home of Golf in America™, PGA WEST® is a premier 

Southern California golf destination in La Quinta, California. Set against the beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains and spread over 2,200 acres, this golfer’s paradise features nine iconic championship golf courses, five of which are open to the public, designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Tom Weiskopf. Each course offers a distinctive layout and golf experience with multiple tee boxes for varying skill levels. PGA WEST is also home to the famed PGA WEST Golf Academy, immaculate practice facilities, five stunning clubhouses, multiple dining options, as well as a wide array of golf benefits, luxury amenities and social activities for Club Members. Every January, PGA WEST plays host to The American Express™ golf tournament, a highly anticipated PGA TOUR event and two-night live concert series.

ABOUT CENTURY GOLF PARTNERS & ARNOLD PALMER GOLF MANAGEMENT

OUR HISTORY……. HOW IT ALL BEGAN

In 2005, several of the partners came together to realize a long-desired dream and created Century Golf Partners; a golf investment and management company. In the same year, the company also acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to the Arnold Palmer Golf Management brand and accordingly, Century Golf Partners operates many of its clubs under the Arnold Palmer Golf Management name.  The initial focus of the company was to assemble a world-class team of highly experienced hospitality and golf industry professionals to acquire and operate country clubs, daily fee golf courses and golf resorts throughout the U.S.  With the belief that clubs and golf courses must have a comprehensive strategy and disciplined business approach to be sustainable, the leadership team set out to help clubs and golf courses succeed in communities throughout the country. The plan was executed to perfection, and after acquiring two significant portfolios and several individual clubs, Century Golf Partners became one of the fastest growing companies in club and golf management company history.     

The Company is led by partners Jim Hinckley, Doug Howe, Ken Story, Greg Adair and our non-executive chair, Peter Ueberroth along with highly experienced Principals and leaders.  Several members of the leadership team have worked together for over 25 years and are some of the most qualified professionals in our industry. Collectively, they have operated over 500 golf courses worldwide and hosted some of the most premier events in golf such as the Women’s U.S. Open, the Honda Classic, the Disney Classic, and many more.

Today, the Company continues to seek opportunities to expand its portfolio of clubs and has created alliances and affiliations to provide unique and extensive benefits to our Members and Guests through club networks and loyalty club programs.  Our Team Members include some of the most innovative and service-committed people in the club and golf business. With a solid foundation, outstanding infrastructure and incredible potential, Century Golf Partners is poised to continue our rapid growth and achieve our vision to be the most sought after business partner in golf. Achieving this vision will allow us to continue to attract and retain the best people, to reinvest and reinvent our clubs when needed, and help improve the communities we live and work in. We will be able to better support our charitable partners which include The First Tee, Folds of Honor and Arnold Palmer’s Hospital for Children.     

About Arnold Palmer Golf Management 

Arnold Palmer won 92 professional golf tournaments, including seven majors.  His love of the game and hard-charging approach are legendary among those who follow his career.  Beyond the magnificent performance record, his magnetic personality, integrity and unfailing sense of kindness to everybody with whom he comes in contact, his humanitarian and charitable efforts have endeared him to millions worldwide. His upstanding character, family values, and humility have truly made him the most trusted name in golf.

Arnold Palmer Golf Management operates clubs in the true spirit of Mr. Palmer – with a dedicated will-to-win, respect and consideration of others and with honor and integrity.  Our Team Members work to create great experiences for every Member and every Guest, every day.  We want to ensure Mr. Palmer is proud of the work we do under his name and that we fittingly represent this great American legend.