Over the years, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) has received over thousands of applications for its internship. In 2024, 1,567 applications were received from applicants all around the world.
After a thorough interview process, 79 were offered an opportunity to join the AJGA as a summer intern. Out of the 79 applicants who were accepted, 74 chose to travel the country while helping to conduct nationally recognized events as a traveling intern. The other five took their talents to Braselton, GA to gain valuable experience at our National Headquarters in the Communications, Player Services and Finance departments.
Here are the stories behind the AJGA’s 2024 In-House interns.
Jake Patterson - Communications Intern
Hailing from Hendersonville, NC, Jake grew into his love for golf. After caddying for Alyaa Abdulghany on the Epson Tour in the summer of 2023 and filling the role as a cart guy at Kenmure Country Club for several years, Jake combined his adventurous personality with golf to join the AJGA. Jake has also found a love for writing outside of college; including starting his own blog, Looper’s Line in 2023 and writing for Global Golf Post this year. At UNC, Patterson will continue his work in UNC's Athletics Communications office and is the incoming president of the Lutheran Campus Ministry. Although law school will be in his near future, Patterson wanted to venture deeper into a role of communications to round out his professional skill set and have some fun with the AJGA this summer.
"This summer has been a clear demonstration of the importance of collaboration in any workplace,” said Patterson. “I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with all departments in order to create fantastic content and seamless experiences for our juniors and sponsors.”
"I have loved working with the AJGA's wonderful communications staff. They are incredible at their jobs and the kindest, most fun people to be around day in and day out. They've taught me so much in my short time with the AJGA."
Josh Bland - Finance Intern
After completing his four-year degree in finance at Georgia State University, Josh is excited to join the AJGA as this year’s summer in-house finance intern. Without a background in golf, that hasn’t swayed Bland away from bringing a new level of productivity and hard work to the finance department at the AJGA. Bland has become an essential part to the AJGA’s finance department everyday and is looking forward to his next path after graduating from Georgia State University.
“The internship has taught me how to work on a team with so many moving parts. We have so many events going on at the same time and so many people working on them that you have to have constant communication to make things work smoothly. It has been pretty cool to get an inside look of the machine that is the AJGA and I am grateful to have been a small part of it.”
“My favorite thing from the internship has been when I got to visit the Rolex Girls Junior Championship. It was super entertaining to watch the many ultra talented players compete for number one. It was a beautiful course and the members were all great to talk to and it was pretty cool to see how an AJGA event functions from an on the ground standpoint.”
Daphne Alarcon-Torres - Player Services Intern
Growing up in Gainesville, Ga, Daphne didn’t have to travel far to start her career. After transferring from Georgia Gwinnett College to University of Georgia in 2021, Alarcon-Torres became more involved in customer service; joining Belk and New Leaf Landscape Services. There, Daphne managed customer relations, marketing, order fulfillment, and managing/organizing merchandise. Now, Daphne is looking to further her professional work in sports.
“This internship has shown me a new level of professionalism in sports. The way the AJGA handles its players, employees, sponsors, and more is exceptional. Interning for player services has brought a new perspective and respect for the AJGA and what they do each and every day.”
“My favorite part of this internship has been the people I’ve met along the way. From fellow interns to full-time staff, the AJGA has helped frame a lot of lifelong friends that I will continue to connect with.”
Griffin Crest - Communications Intern
Joining Indiana University’s club golf team as one of their starters for all four years of school. Crest has been busy in his three years at Indiana University, becoming highly involved as a writer and broadcasting talent in their student media program as well as BIG Ten Network+. Outside of school, Griffin spends his free time developing his own sports media company, writing, and golfing. This May he will be graduating from Indiana University with a major in Broadcasting Media.
“The AJGA has helped me in so many different aspects in the professional field. From day-to-day tasks to communication amongst my fellow employees, the AJGA sharpens your skill sets every single day. But, the AJGA does so much more than sharpen your skills, they do it with a positive attitude. Every employee in Braselton supports your career and person, they’re a family.”
“My favorite thing about this internship are the wonderful people that I’ve been able to connect with each and every day. Every person that I’ve met has welcomed me with open arms and a good attitude.”
Justin Walker - Player Services Intern
As an AJGA alumnus, Walker applied for this year’s In-House internship as a Player Services Intern. Walker spent several years with the AJGA as a player before ultimately committing to Paine College to pursue his golf and professional career. Walker has now progressed into the professional field including working at The First Tee of Augusta and the Augusta National Golf Club as an administrative support agent. There Walker would develop and maintain spreadsheets and administrative procedures. Now Walker is manning the phones and other player services tasks at the AJGA’s National Headquarters in Braselton.
“This internship not only provided an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge about the AJGA and future careers, but it also fostered a supportive environment for professional development and career advancement in sports.”
“The best part of this internship is the awesome friendship I've made with my coworkers. My supervisors and everyone else here are so nice and supportive. They're always so friendly, which makes it a really great place to work.”
India Ricks - Communications Hybrid
From Ellenwood, Georgia, India Ricks hasn’t had to travel far for her career to take off. While attending the University of Alabama, Ricks joined WVUAFM as a sports writing intern. During that time, Ricks would work independently writing for the University of Alabama’s softball team. While working for the softball team, Ricks would write feature stories, game recaps and assist in the production room. After venturing to WVUAFM, Ricks would join the communications staff for Horizons Atlanta in May of 2023. Following her time in Atlanta, India traveled east to Braselton, Georgia to join the AJGA as a Traveling Communications intern where she journeyed from Texas all the way to North Carolina. Now Ricks is solely in Braselton as a Communications Intern/Assistant with the AJGA.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned from this internship is the importance of creativity in the communications space. The more outlandish or different an idea may be can possibly be the most successful so tapping into that has been very beneficial to my growth.”
“My favorite thing from the internship are the relationships I've fostered along the way. Whether that's with my intern team who I became very close with or Juniors and parents you meet at tournaments. Those are the lasting memories that stick with me.”
