USGA's Greenskeeper Apprenticeship Produces First Superintendent

A USGA-backed apprenticeship built to address a labor shortage in golf course maintenance has produced its first superintendent. DJ McClellan, a former Pinehurst Resort pro-shop employee with no turf background, completed the USGA's Greenskeeper Apprenticeship Program and now oversees the grounds crew at Pinewild Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C.

What is the Greenskeeper Apprenticeship Program?

Now in its fourth year, the program combines coursework at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst or Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway, S.C., with full-time work at golf courses across the two regions. Jordan Booth, senior director of the USGA's course consulting service, said it targets people who already have years of hands-on golf experience but lack the formal education to go with it.

"What we feel like the apprenticeship program provides is the why," Booth said. Apprentices are not charged tuition and are paid as full-time course employees while enrolled.

How did McClellan become a superintendent?

McClellan was working in the Pinehurst Resort golf shop, undecided on a career path, when Booth recruited him into the program. He went from having no golf course maintenance experience to completing the apprenticeship as a graduate, and was later hired as superintendent at Pinewild Country Club — the first GAP alumnus to reach that title. Rusek currently leads the program's day-to-day operations.

He went from having no golf course maintenance experience to being hired as a superintendent.

McClellan, who now starts most workdays before 8 a.m. year-round, said the apprenticeship turned a string of jobs into a career. The USGA has not disclosed how many apprentices are enrolled in the current cohort.