Seasonal Turfgrass Intern

CASTLE PINES GOLF CLUB

Overview Category

Program Details

Club

Castle Pines Golf Club

Location

Castle Rock, Colorado (30 minutes south of Denver)

Position Title

Golf Course Maintenance / Turfgrass Management Intern

Season / Duration

2027 Season (Flexible start/end dates tailored to academic schedules; typically April/May – August/October)

Compensation

$20.00 per hour overtime

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and established in 1981 by Jack Vickers, Castle Pines Golf Club is consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s "America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses" (#46). Set against the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains amongst towering ponderosa pines at 6,300 feet of elevation, the club boasts a rich championship pedigree—having hosted the PGA TOUR's International for 21 years and the 2024 BMW Championship (awarded PGA TOUR Event of the Year).

Castle Pines is committed to operating one of the premier internship programs in the country, prioritizing hands-on education, leadership development, and career advancement.

Interns are integrated directly into our turf management leadership structure. To provide comprehensive experience across all agronomic disciplines, interns rotate through three core focus areas:

1. Water Management Week
2. Master modern moisture management, TDR meter mapping, hand-watering championship greens, and managing supplemental irrigation across tees, fairways, and roughs.
3. Crew Leadership & Operations Week
4. Learn crew leadership from the inside out—schedule daily maintenance jobs, manage second assignments, oversee course setup/projects, and lead morning staff meetings.
5. Agronomy & Plant Health Week
6. Gain direct operational experience with GPS-guided ride-on sprayers, spray hawks, chemical/fertilizer calibration and application, plant growth regulators (PGRs), and cultural programs (aerification, topdressing, verticutting).

• Intern Learning Program: Monthly structured sessions featuring industry guest speakers, including USGA Agronomists, PGA TOUR Agronomists, irrigation designers, and water quality consultants.
• Professional Development: Dedicated resume reviews, mock interviews, and career pathway coaching to prepare you for assistant superintendent roles.
• Alumni Intern Exchange Program: Unique exposure to peer facilities and former CPGC team members with day and week-long exchange visits to top-tier properties across the region (e.g., TPC Colorado, Rodeo Dunes, Greeley CC, Roaring Fork Club).
• Interdepartmental Exposure: Collaborate with Golf Operations, clubhouse hospitality, and executive management.

• Wage: $20.00/hour plus overtime
• Housing: Complimentary intern housing provided
• Meals: Lunch provided daily by the club
• Attire: Full uniform package provided
• Golf Privileges: Playing privileges on one of America's 100 Greatest courses
• Networking & Mentorship: Direct mentorship under Director of Golf Course & Grounds Scott Pavalko and the management team

• Enrolled in or recently graduated from a 2- or 4-year Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related Plant Science program.
• Motivated self-starter with a passion for high-end golf course conditioning and career progression.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a team-first attitude.
• Applicants of all experience levels are considered; internship responsibilities are tailored to individual skill and academic milestones.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and references to:

Scott Pavalko

Director of Golf Course & Grounds

Castle Pines Golf Club

Email: spavalko@castlepinesgolfclub.club

Office: (303) 814-6270

To review additional details, access the Castle Pines Golf Club Internship Brochure.