Seasonal Intern

Course Description:

Huntingdon Valley Country Club is a private, family-oriented club with 27 championship golf holes designed by William Flynn. HVCC is ranked among the Top 100 Classic Courses in America and the Top 10 in Pennsylvania, with a rich history of hosting local and national championships and producing outstanding championship golfers. HVCC prides itself providing extremely firm and fast conditions and unique challenges to players of all skillsets. The club recently installed a new Toro Lynx irrigation system (2023-24) and will be undertaking several capital projects, including tree management, creek erosion protection, fine fescue establishment, green and fairway expansions, bunker renovations, maintenance facility upgrades, and more. In 2020, a  group of members here at HVCC started the Super Scratch Charity Foundation, which has awarded $150K in turfgrass scholarships since its founding and continues to grow.

Position Description:

As a Seasonal Intern, you’ll work closely with the Golf Course Superintendent and Agronomy Team to deliver championship conditions for our members. We are seeking motivated individuals eager to learn and grow within the industry. Our goal is to prepare young professionals for the next steps in their careers through hands-on experience at a top-tier private club in the competitive Philadelphia market.

Responsibilities Include:

Daily Course Maintenance & Setup

• Mowing: Perform mowing operations on greens, tees, fairways, and rough using walking or riding mowers.
• Bunker Maintenance: Raking bunkers manually or using mechanized bunker rakes, checking sand depths, and ensuring consistent quality.
• Cup Cutting & Course Setup: Change pin locations, set up tee markers, and maintain consistent green conditions.

Stringent Water Management & Irrigation

• Hand watering: Learn techniques of minimalist soil moisture management with emphasis on firm and fast conditioning while also maintaining pristine and consistent playing surfaces.
• Irrigation Repairs & Maintenance: Assist with troubleshooting, repairing heads, leaks, and ensuring proper water distribution to key areas.

Pest & Disease Monitoring

• Scouting for Pests: Regularly inspect greens, fairways, and rough for signs of pests, disease, and turf stress.
• Disease Prevention & Control: Gain exposure to applications of pesticides, fungicides, and other control measures under supervision.

Cultural Practices

• Aerification & Topdressing: Assist with aerification of greens, tees, and fairways using various techniques and machinery.
• Verticutting & Grooming: Perform verticutting on greens and fairways to reduce thatch and improve playing surfaces.
• Overseeding & Seeding: Participate in seeding operations for seasonal transition or recovery in specific areas.
• Sod Installation & Repair: Learn to cut, lay, and maintain sod in high-wear or newly renovated areas.

Equipment Maintenance & Operation

• Equipment Operation: Safely operate and maintain various groundskeeping equipment such as mowers, rollers, blowers, and utility vehicles.
• Basic Equipment Care: Learn daily and weekly maintenance routines like greasing, cleaning, and inspecting machinery to ensure proper operation.

Record Keeping & Data Collection

• Record Application Data: Assist in documenting chemical applications, irrigation schedules, and daily maintenance tasks.
• Weather Monitoring: Track weather conditions and assist in adjustments to maintenance practices based on changing conditions.

Professional Development & Learning

• Mentorship Sessions: Participate in scheduled mentorship meetings with the Superintendent and other senior staff to discuss career goals and industry trends.
• Course Walks & Assessment: Join the Superintendent for morning or evening course walks to assess turf health, project progress, and daily conditions.
• Tournament Preparation: Gain hands-on experience with tournament setup, including intensive preparations, mowing patterns, and detail work.
• Volunteer at Tournaments: Get opportunities to volunteer at local or regional tournaments to expand industry exposure and networking.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Project Coordination: Work with other team members on large-scale projects, including drainage installation, creek erosion repair, and fescue management.
• Leadership Opportunities: Lead small crews on daily tasks or during project work to build leadership skills and confidence.
• Safety & Protocol Adherence: Understand and follow all safety guidelines, PPE requirements, and club protocols.