Sports Turf Management Students Earn Experience at PGA Tourney

Next week, students from Southeast Tech’s Sports Turf Management program will earn a new level of hands-on, professional experience serving as turf volunteers for the inaugural Sanford International, the first-ever PGA Tour Champions event to be played in South Dakota.

Second year students Collin Kemper and Michael Tennessen will both provide volunteer turf support for Minnehaha Country Club throughout next week as the Sanford International welcomes PGA legends including John Daly, Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker and others to Sioux Falls. 

For Kemper and Tennessen, working at next week’s PGA Champions tournament will be an exciting addition to their resumes that already feature extensive internship experiences within the turf management industry.

Kemper spent last summer in Boston working as an intern for the grounds crew at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox.

Tennessen spent last summer in Hartford, Wisconsin, where he completed an internship at Erin Hills Golf Course, home of the 2017 U.S. Open championship.

As interest in turf management careers increases – enrollment in Southeast Tech’s Turf Management program is up 44 percent over last year – Kemper and Tennessen spoke with KELO-TV about why the field interests them, why they chose Southeast Tech, and how they're excited for next week's tournament.

See the full story from KELO-TV