Endicott Athletics and Recreation

    • INTERNSHIP INSIGHT: Kenneth Tuttle '20 - New England PGA

    BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott College is a pioneer in requiring comprehensive internship experiences in every program of study for undergraduate students. Here's a look into men's golf student-athlete and business management major Kenneth Tuttle's (Gorham, Maine) internship experience at the New England PGA.

    INTERNSHIP INSIGHT: Kenneth Tuttle '20 - New England PGA
    August 12, 2019

    BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott College is a pioneer in requiring comprehensive internship experiences in every program of study for undergraduate students. Here's a look into men's golf student-athlete and business management major Kenneth Tuttle's (Gorham, Maine) internship experience at the New England PGA.

    ECGULLS: Describe your overall internship experience.

    TUTTLE: Overall, my internship with the New England PGA has been a very positive experience. This internship is well known for being a place to start when pursuing a career in golf. I have been able to make great connections as we travel all over New England to host events at different clubs. Many head professionals have been pleased with how well we operate these junior events. I have been able to do some work during professional events as well, so I have seen tournament golf for all ages, and know what is expected at all levels.

    ECGULLS: What have you learned from your internship?

    TUTTLE: I have learned a great deal of information from this internship. First, it takes a lot of time and communication between the intern and the club staff in order to make sure everything is squared away. Then we use our "Blue Golf" software to set up tee times, print the scorecard, rules sheets, and tee sheets. This system took some time to learn but helped build a general understanding of how to produce paperwork for events. Next, we run the actual event and this includes starting players, answering rules related questions of players or parents, and then finish with scoring and breakdowns.

    ECGULLS: How will this internship help you in your career moving forward?

    TUTTLE: The thing about the golf industry is it is all about who you know, but once you're "in" then you're "in". Put it this way, all professionals in the New England section report to Mike Higgins when they need help with tournaments, questions, or employment. Jacy, Mike, and Dave are all respected employees of the NEPGA and will be helpful for me moving forward and finding a position at a club. I have a very positive relationship with my direct supervisor (Jacy Settles), and we plan on talking as this internship ends, in order to figure out what I should do after graduation, and where I can do it.

    ECGULLS: What kind of networking have you done at your internship?

    TUTTLE: My networking connections have grown very far thanks to the NEPGA. As I said above, the people I am working for have all the connections in the world. Through them, I should be able to find a course that will take me in.

    ECGULLS: Do you have a favorite experience or story from your internship? If so, what was it?

    TUTTLE: My favorite experience came from this week at the NEPA 99th Sectional Championship. To sum this up, it is the championship for all the head professionals in New England. I was able to see my coach (Tom Smith) tee off as he made the cut for the final day, and watch the best professionals in the world battle for the title. I was operating a live leaderboard of the top 7 players so I was traveling the course in sections so that the top players could see where they stood. It came down to the 18th hole where Shawn Warren, head professional at Falmouth Country Club, in Maine, made a 25-foot putt to win by one.

    THE ENDICOTT INTERNSHIP MODEL

    A philosophy of "learning by doing" permeates the college curriculum in which students are encouraged to integrate theory and practice in all of their studies.

    Through their experiences in internships students will be prepared to:

    • Apply, integrate, and evaluate knowledge within a particular academic discipline
    • Develop competencies for careers and community service
    • Explore career options and gain field experience
    • Foster personal growth through increased self-confidence, interpersonal skills, an understanding of self and others, and a heightened awareness of ethical standards
    • Improve the ability to learn in a self-directed manner

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    (Photo Credit - Kenneth Tuttle '20)