2027 Detroit Golf Club Internship

THE INTERNSHIP

Detroit Golf Club is looking for highly motivated, team-oriented individuals with a goal of advancing in the turfgrass industry. Our philosophy is simple: every student who finishes an internship here should be ready to step into the next stage of their career. Interns work directly with the Director of Agronomy and the Course Superintendents to build the skill set required to produce championship conditions on 36 holes of Donald Ross golf.

This is not a summer spent on one mower. Our program pairs daily hands-on agronomy with structured rotations and a professional development track built to prepare you for an assistant superintendent role budgeting, scheduling, crew leadership, communication with a membership, and the technical depth to back it up.

DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES

Daily maintenance tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Course set up and daily playing-condition management
• Operation of all golf course equipment, including tractors and heavy equipment
• Calibration of spreaders and sprayers
• Plant protectant and fertilizer applications
• Irrigation repair, troubleshooting and system programming
• Drainage repair and installation
• Hand watering and moisture management on Bentgrass/Poa annua greens
• Turf and disease identification, scouting and record keeping
• In-house construction and master plan projects

STRUCTURED DEVELOPMENT ROTATIONS

Every intern completes four dedicated rotation weeks over the course of the season. These are scheduled in advance, built into the season plan, and are yours regardless of what else is happening on the property:

• Equipment Management Week — a week in the shop with our Equipment Manager learning reel and rotary set-up, mower maintenance, quality of cut, and basic repair and diagnostics.
• Irrigation & Water Management Week — head-level repair and troubleshooting, pump station fundamentals, moisture-meter based hand watering, and building and scheduling overnight irrigation cycles on our Rain Bird Cirrus control system.
• Spray & Fertility Week — working alongside our spray technician on calibration, tank mixing, application technique, product selection, and the agronomic reasoning behind the plan.
• Scheduling & Leadership Week — you build and run the maintenance schedule for a full week during the season, assign the crew, and lead the daily meeting. You will lead small crews and motivate staff throughout the season, but this week the board is yours.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Beyond the rotations, interns take part in a professional development track designed around the skills that actually separate candidates in an assistant superintendent interview:

• Build a line-item budget for a section of the maintenance operation and present it to the Director of Agronomy
• Draft a capital expenditure request justification, options, cost, and payback
• Deliver a Green Committee course update and field the questions that come with it
• On-site and off-site educational sessions with leading industry professionals
• Support toward your state pesticide applicator license, including study materials and exam preparation
• Attend industry events hosted by our local GCSAA chapter and the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA)
• Site visits to other premier Detroit-area clubs to see how other operations solve the same problems
• Tournament volunteer opportunities at regional and national championship events, with the club supporting your placement to help you build your own professional network

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

• A sincere interest in a career in golf course management
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and a willingness to learn
• Attention to detail and a sense of ownership over the work
• The ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Prior golf course or sports turf experience is preferred, but not required. A valid driver’s license is required. Applicants must be able to work early mornings, weekends and holidays during the season.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Currently enrolled in a two- or four-year turfgrass management degree, certificate program, or related field. Recent graduates of an accredited program are also encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $18–$24 per hour, based on experience and education
• Consistent overtime available throughout the season
• Housing provided at no cost
• Daily meals
• Uniforms provided
• Golf privileges
• Continuing education and local GCSAA chapter involvement
• Tournament volunteer experience and professional networking support

DATES & AVAILABILITY

Start dates are flexible between February and April 2027 to accommodate academic calendars, with the season running through November 2027. Applicants seeking a shorter summer term or a term that meets a specific school internship requirement should say so in their cover letter we will work with your program.

AFTER THE INTERNSHIP

Full-time employment is available upon completion of a degree or certification program. Our goal is that you leave Detroit Golf Club with a reference, a network, and a resume that opens doors here or anywhere else in the industry.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your resume, cover letter and references to Sam Moynihan, Director of Agronomy, at smoynihan@detroitgolfclub.org – or click 'Apply Now' to start your email.

Site visits are welcome and can be arranged upon request. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis early applicants receive first consideration for housing and start-date preference.