As we celebrate National Intern Day 2026, we introduce you to the four USGA P.J. Boatwright Nevada Golf interns for 2026. Thank you to Courtney Ploadpliew, Grant Harvey, Emily Twitchell, and Stewart Knowles for your contributions and professionalism.
“Our P.J. Boatwright interns always make a huge difference each year, and our four this year have been a major part of what we do at Nevada Golf,” Said Ann Sunstrum, Nevada Golf CEO. “They are involved in tournament operations, but also around the office on a day-to-day basis to help and also gain valuable experience to benefit their futures. We also have a long history of hiring our interns, and that makes for a very easy transition.”
About the P.J. Boatwright Internship
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 state and regional golf associations in the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry level basis.
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.
About Nevada Golf 2026 Interns
GRANT HARVEY
I am 22 years old and am a student at UNLV in the Professional Golf Management program. I have golfed since I can remember, and have always had a love for the game. I grew up playing junior tournaments including AJGA events all over the country. I had offers to play division 1 golf, but turned them down to serve a 2 year mission for my church.
After returning home I went to BYU in Provo where I met my wife! We’ve been married about a year now. After getting married we decided to move back to Vegas so I could join the PGM program and pursue my dream job of working in the golf world. That is why I am an intern here as a Boatwright intern.
What is the first thing about being a Boatwright intern?
The first thing that comes to my mind is that a Boatwright intern is engaged and ready for anything. In this business things change all the time so you have to be flexible and willing to try new things.
How did you become an intern?
I feel very blessed to be an intern here at Nevada Golf as a boatwright intern. I was in the process of researching different internship opportunities when Ann Sunstrum reached out to me about this internship. I’ve known Ann for many years and have always enjoyed the events when she was there, so her reaching out to me made me interested to learn more. When I found out everything this internship entailed, I couldn’t resist.
What have you learned by being an intern?
I have learned a lot in the past couple of months since starting as an intern here at Nevada Golf. Before this internship, the only golf related job I’ve had is caddying at the Summit, and on the champions tour. So I had no experience with running or planning for events. But because of the experiences that I’ve had over the past few months, I can confidently say that I now know what it takes to have a well run, and successful, tournament. I also know what a course rating looks like, the basics of golf genius, handling member relations, and so much more.
What are your future goals?
I have a lot of future goals, and my plans are in the works currently to get me there. My goal is to graduate from UNLV with my bachelors in Hospitality management and my class A or in other words become a PGA Professional. From there I want to become a Head Pro and eventually a Director of Golf at either a Resort or top end club. Golf is my passion, and with the skills I am learning, I want to use them to make golf more enjoyable for all who will interact with the future clubs I work at.
What is one suggestion for Nevada golf that you may have?
The only suggestion that I can think of that I believe will help future interns here at Nevada Golf would be to spend a little more time on the onboarding process. I wish I could’ve been taught a little more about what an event would look like before the first tournament I helped run. I also would’ve liked to see a little more of what goes into setting up a golf tournament on the golf genius side.
STEWART KNOWLES
I am 51 years old and grew up in Texas for the first half of my life. I attended New Mexico State University, where I majored in Professional Golf Management with a minor in Marketing but I did not play golf at the university level. Upon graduation, I relocated to the Reno-Tahoe area following six other classmates to this area to pursue the golf industry.
I found myself working for Lahontan Golf Club in Truckee, Calif. , where, I worked my way up to Assistant Director of Community Service, but in my mind, this was mainly a Property Management role and I felt the need for change three years ago. I moved back to Texas to be closer to family for a few years, but soon, the Tahoe area and all its outdoor activities lured me back at the beginning of 2025.
Through orientation, training, and getting introduced to the people, systems, and responsibilities that support golf administration before taking on tournament and operational duties.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind about being a P.J. Boatwright intern?
the first thing about being an intern is generally learning and orientation.
It is a great opportunity to learn through orientation, training, and getting introduced to the people, systems, and responsibilities that support golf administration. It has also been interesting to be involved with tournament operations.
How did you become an intern?
A very close friend of mine who plays in the higher-level Nevada Golf tournaments sent me the job posting for the Boatwright Intern position. I pursued this given my natural love of the game and having been involved with golf my whole life. I then got the call from our Executive Director, Cameron MacGregor. We had a great introduction and interview, and I was given the position in March 2025.
What have your learned as an intern?
I’ve learned a lot about what goes into running golf tournaments behind the scenes. It’s given me a better understanding of event organization, communication, and how important teamwork is to making everything run smoothly.
I’ve also learned how important it is to create a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Whether it’s forging better relationships with our players, answering questions or helping tournaments stay on schedule. I’ve realized that the small details really do matter the most.
Overall, this internship has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I’ve become more confident taking initiative, asking questions, and above all working as a team. I have a deep appreciation for all of my colleagues and their experience in and of the game that has provided me invaluable experience.
What are your future goals?
I would love the opportunity to continue with Nevada Golf and continue learning and becoming a bigger asset to the organization.
What is one suggestion you may have for Nevada Golf?
One suggestion I have is for Nevada Golf is to continue improving communication across the organization. Regular updates about priorities, changes, and goals can help everyone feel more informed and connected, which ultimately benefits both employees and the golfers and clubs you serve. I also encourage the organization to invest even more in employee development and cross training. Giving staff opportunities to learn different areas of the association helps build stronger teams and prepares for future growth.
COURTNEY PLOADPLIEW
I grew up in a family that shared a passion for golf, and the game has been an important part of my life from an early age. I began playing competitively at the age of eight, which allowed me to develop both my skills and my love for sport. Throughout high school, I was a four-year varsity golfer, where I gained valuable experience in competition, teamwork, discipline, and dedication.
In addition to my playing experience, I have spent the past six years coaching Junior golf, helping players develop their skills, confidence, and passion for the game. For the last three years, I have served as a Head Varsity Golf Coach at Bishop Alemany High School in Los Angeles, where I have led practices, managed competitions, mentored student-athletes, and fostered a positive and competitive team environment. My lifelong involvement in golf, both as a player and a coach, has given me a well-rounded understanding of the game and strengthened my passion for growing the sport and supporting golfers of all skill levels.
What is first thing that comes to your mind about being a Boatwright intern?
The responsibility as a Nevada Golf Boatwright Intern is to support successful tournament operations while providing exceptional service to our members, players, and host facilities. Be eager to learn, ask questions, work as a team, and represent Nevada Golf with professionalism at every event.
How did you become intern?
My journey to becoming a Nevada Golf Boatwright Intern began with my lifelong passion for the game of golf. Having grown up playing competitively and later coaching the sport, I knew I wanted to pursue an opportunity that would allow me to contribute to the game beyond playing.
When I learned about the Nevada Golf Boatwright Internship, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience in golf administration while continuing to be involved in a sport I love. The internship offered the chance to learn about tournament operations, member services, event management, and the day-to-day responsibilities of a state golf association.
I applied because I wanted to expand my knowledge of the golf industry, develop professionally, and help grow the game in Southern Nevada. Since becoming an intern, I have gained valuable experience working alongside the Nevada Golf staff, assisting with tournaments and members, and learning what it takes to deliver a positive experience for golfers throughout the state.
What have you learned by being an intern?
Being a tournament intern has taught me that successful events are built on preparation, teamwork, and attention to detail. I have learned how much work goes into planning and executing a golf tournament, from course setup and player registration to scoring, pace of play, and post-tournament wrap-up.
The internship has also strengthened my communication and problem-solving skills. Working with players, volunteers, host facilities, and Nevada Golf staff has shown me the importance of professionalism, adaptability, and providing excellent customer service. Every tournament presents unique challenges, and I have learned how to stay organized, think quickly, and work collaboratively to ensure each event runs smoothly.
Most importantly, this experience has given me a greater appreciation for the role that golf associations play in growing the game and creating positive experiences for golfers of all ages and skill levels. It has reinforced my passion for the golf industry and has provided valuable hands-on experience that will benefit me throughout my career.
What are your future goals?
One of my primary future goals is to continue working with and growing junior golf with Nevada Golf. Having spent several years coaching and mentoring young golfers, I have developed a passion for helping juniors build not only their golf skills but also confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love for the game.
I hope to continue working with Nevada Golf’s junior programs by creating meaningful opportunities for young players to learn, compete, and enjoy golf in a positive environment. My goal is to make the game more accessible and welcoming while encouraging the next generation of golfers to stay involved in the sport. Ultimately, I want to build a career in golf administration where I can combine my playing, coaching, and tournament experience to make a lasting impact on junior golf and the growth of the game.
EMILY TWITCHELL
I grew up in Lake Almanor, a small town in Northern California. Ironically, I grew up on a golf course, but my only connection to golf was cutting across the fairways to catch the bus to school. I attended the University of Nevada, Reno before transferring to the College of Southern Nevada, where I’m studying Hospitality.
I’ve worked at Dutch Bros Coffee for the past four years, where I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the country helping open new stores. In one year alone, I helped open seven stores across four states and trained more than 200 new employees. Although I have never golfed, I’ve always enjoyed sports and played volleyball, softball, and basketball throughout high school. I’m also a big hockey fan and love going to games whenever I can.
What is first thing about being a Boatwright intern?
Opportunity is the first thing that comes to mind. I came into this internship without a background in golf, so I saw it as a chance to learn something completely new. Since then, I’ve been trusted with meaningful projects instead of just observing from the sidelines. I’ve learned about membership operations, built relationships with golf courses and members, and worked on growing programs like U30. More than anything, this internship has given me the confidence to take on challenges in an industry I knew very little about when I started.
How did you become an intern?
I was initially helping around the Nevada Golf office with day-to-day tasks when I learned they were interviewing for the Boatwright Internship. As I spent more time in the office, I became interested in the work they were doing and thought it would be a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience while finishing my degree. I decided to apply and was excited to be selected for the internship.
What have you learned by being an intern?
Being a Boatwright Intern has taught me a lot about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a membership organization running. Since this is the first membership-focused Boatwright Internship, I’ve had the unique opportunity to help shape what that experience looks like while gaining hands-on experience with membership services, working with GHIN, and organizing data in Excel. I’ve also learned how much work goes into supporting members across the state and how every part of the organization plays a role in creating a positive experience for golfers.
What are your future goals?
My long-term career goals are still evolving, but after I graduate I’d love to work in either event planning, human resources and recruiting, or training and development. Through my experiences at Dutch Bros and Nevada Golf, I’ve realized that I enjoy roles centered around people—whether that’s creating memorable experiences, helping others grow, or building strong teams. I’m excited to continue exploring those paths and see where my experiences take me.
What is one suggestion for Nevada golf that you may have?
One suggestion I’d have for Nevada Golf is to continue celebrating the unique strengths of our rural communities. Growing up in a small town, I’ve seen how much a golf course can bring people together. There’s a strong sense of community, people are always willing to support one another, and the course becomes more than just a place to play. I think those communities bring a lot of value to golf in Nevada, and continuing to highlight what makes them special helps show that every club, no matter its size, plays an important role in growing the game.
