UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Two students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences’ turfgrass science program recently were selected for highly competitive United States Golf Association (USGA) Green Section internships.
Zachary Newsome, of Claymont, Delaware, is an alumnus of the turfgrass science program and a first-year master’s student in agricultural and environmental plant science with a concentration in turfgrass entomology. Wilson Kreitz, of Parker, Colorado, is a third-year turfgrass science major.
“It’s a tremendous honor to have Zack and Wilson selected for such a prestigious and highly competitive internship,” said Ben McGraw, associate professor of turfgrass science. “This opportunity is afforded to only a handful of top turfgrass students nationwide. Their selection speaks volumes about their exceptional talent, dedication and leadership within Penn State’s turfgrass science program. Having two students from one university chosen in the same year is both outstanding and rare — and a testament to their hard work and passion for the profession.”
For more than 25 years, the USGA Green Section internships have provided undergraduate and graduate students with unique opportunities for immersive internships. Alumni of the program have had successful careers in diverse roles across the turfgrass industry.
During the internship, students travel with USGA agronomists to golf facilities to gain an overview of the golf course maintenance industry. If a student is selected for a multiple-week internship, he or she also will work with USGA agronomists to prepare a course for a USGA championship.
Newsome’s journey to the turfgrass industry began with a summer position at a local country club. He said that experience sparked his interest in turfgrass management and led him to enroll in the University’s turfgrass science program. His master’s research examines how soil and plant moisture levels affect insect behavior and insecticide performance, with the goal of developing strategies that improve pest management outcomes.
Newsome noted that he is looking forward to the Green Section internship to gain a better understanding of real-world challenges faced by turf managers. He said he is interested in seeing how turfgrass research and technology are applied on golf courses across the country.
Kreitz’s passion for golf and the outdoors drew him to the field of turfgrass management, he said. Growing up in a Penn State family, he said he was aware of the reputation of the University’s turfgrass science program, making it an easy decision to pursue his studies at Penn State.
Kreitz expressed excitement about continuing to develop as a turfgrass professional during the Green Section internship and an internship at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado. He is looking forward to gaining skills, building professional connections and continuing toward his goal of becoming a golf course superintendent, he said.