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Life Lessons as a PGA Intern
By: Lauren Schafer
Last summer I was fortunate to be selected to intern with the North Texas PGA, Junior Division (NTPGA) in Wylie, Texas. It seemed as if this job would suit me well as I have been around the game of golf since the age of four. I also have played in my fair share of junior and high school golf tournaments. Thus, when the opportunity arose to intern in a golf-related setting, I jumped at the chance.

My first task, after completing my seventeen-hour drive from Indiana to Texas, was adjusting to the unyielding heat and the thick Texan accent. The next step was to find out exactly what my summer duties would entail. My first few days on the job were spent at the NTPGA home office. Here I met the thirteen other interns with whom I would be working and undergoing training, which included reviewing basic golf rules and learning on-site duties such as registration, pairings, tee-times and golf course set up. I quickly learned the glamorous life of an intern consisted of waking up at 4:30 a.m. on some mornings in order to assure that things at the golf course would run smoothly upon players' arrivals. I also found that sometimes we would find ourselves traveling up to an hour and a half away for tournaments.

However, the upside to the long days and far distances traveled was having the opportunity and the pleasure to watch and work with some potential future golf stars. The children's energy and excitement made my experience more enjoyable. I was able to see how much these kids were able to develop and improve over one summer. I worked with boys and girls from the ages of seven to eighteen with all different skill levels, but I noticed the common bond that united all of the players was their love of the game. With this love came a pure happiness to be among fellow golfers and the privilege to play on a diverse range of Texas' golf courses. Naturally, the possibility of winning a few tournaments also brought a smile to their faces. There were the few players who excelled in their play and stood out above the rest. For example, I witnessed a seven-year-old boy with the poise, precision and confidence of an adult player who was able to manage winning tournaments and building friendships at the same time. Without an introduction at such a young age, this boy might never have realized his capabilities or the joy he could receive from playing the game of golf.

As someone who was indoctrinated into golf at an early age by my parents, I feel it is very important to introduce children to a variety of sporting activities. Unfortunately, golf is overlooked at times for more "conventional" sports like soccer, baseball or basketball. Watching these kids over the summer helped me to see that golf was able to help mold their patience, persistence, and humility.

This sport, unlike many others, is an individual effort. These kids learned they had no one to lay blame upon, or applaud, other than themselves. The valuable lessons learned on the course can transcend into the every day lives of these children and help prepare them for life's challenges and adventures. Unlike many sports, golf can be played and enjoyed for a lifetime by anyone with enough patience and time to enjoy eighteen holes.

For more information about Junior Golf in the Illinois and Indiana areas contact:

Illinois PGA
2901 W. Lake Ave, Suite A
Glenview, Il 60025
Phone: (847) 729-5700
www.ipga.com

Indiana PGA
P.O. Box 516
Franklin, In 46131
Phone: (317) 738-9696
www.indianagolf.org

Illinois Junior Golf Association
www.ijga.org

Indiana Pepsi Junior Golf Program
juniors@indianagolf.org


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