Weeklong initiative, in partnership with the USGA, designed to expose underrepresented individuals to the game and the many career pathways within the $84 billion golf industry.
BROOKLINE, Mass. (Nov. 17, 2021) – The Country Club, in partnership with the United States Golf Association, today announced the establishment of the Lee Elder Internship, a one-week immersive experience at the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club. Applications can be submitted immediately at tcc1882.org/leeelderinternship.
Named for one of golf’s true trailblazers, the innovative program is designed to introduce underrepresented youth to the game and its core values, while also showcasing golf’s many career
pathways. Over the course of a week, 25 individuals will be exposed to multiple facets of the
business of golf and gain firsthand experience and insight from industry leaders. The daily
curriculum will cover tournament operations, media, course maintenance and design, sales and
marketing, facility operations and management, and other relevant topics.
There are more than two million jobs within the $84 billion golf industry, but only a small fraction
of these are held by those from underrepresented communities. The mission of this foundational
program is to help address this imbalance. It is the latest in a series of proactive programs in
golf to encourage people from diverse communities to participate in golf and explore the many
career opportunities in the game.
“Diversity remains one of the major challenges facing the golf industry, one that can only be
addressed with continued emphasis and initiatives to reach underrepresented individuals,” said
Will Fulton, General Chair for the 2022 U.S. Open, which will be played June 13-19. “This
program is designed to play a role in this ecosystem by reaching new audiences at formative
times, providing them with information and establishing relationships with golf leaders. It’s a
model we have every expectation can be replicated in the future.”
The Country Club and the USGA will cover the program’s costs, including travel expenses and
accommodations for all interns. The membership of The Country Club and the USGA plan to
leverage the worldwide exposure and incredible learning experience of the U.S. Open
Championship to open conversations and opportunities for more people in the game.
Elder was a pioneer in integrating golf and laying the groundwork for generations that followed.
He was the first African American golfer to play in The Masters and the first to play on a United
States Ryder Cup team. In 2019, he became the first African American to receive the USGA’s
Bob Jones Award, the association’s highest honor recognizes an individual who demonstrates
Jones’s exemplary spirit, character and respect for the game.
“I have always worked hard to help underprivileged kids have greater opportunities in life,” Elder
said. “I am honored to be associated with this important new program, one that will provide
several exceptional opportunities for minority representation in the game of golf.”
About The Country Club.
Founded in 1882 and located in Brookline, Mass., The Country Club is one of the oldest clubs in the
United States. It was one of five charter clubs that founded the United States Golf Association. It has
played host to a number of significant events in its history, including 16 USGA championships, the 1913
U.S. Open won by amateur Francis Ouimet, and the U.S. team’s comeback win at the 1999 Ryder Cup.
The fourth U.S. Open at The Country Club will be played June 13-19, 2022. For more information, visit
tcc1882.org.
About the USGA
The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in
1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S.
Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing,
equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is
home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy
and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum and Library,
where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn
more, visit usga.org.
