Navigating Junior Golf: A Guide to American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and IJGA/MAJGT Internships
The world of junior golf offers exciting opportunities for young individuals passionate about the sport and seeking to gain valuable experience in the golf or business industry. Two prominent organizations, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and the Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA)/Mid-American Junior Golf Tour (MAJGT), provide internship programs that can kick-start careers in the sports industry. This article will explore the requirements and opportunities associated with these internships, with a focus on the IJGA/MAJGT program and insights into the AJGA program.
IJGA/MAJGT Internship: A Stepping Stone to a Golf Career
The IJGA is one of the largest junior golf associations in the country. In 2025, the IJGA had over 2000 members between the ages of 8-18, and in 2026 the IJGA plans to conduct over 140 tournaments throughout Chicagoland.
The IJGA/MAJGT internship program is highly respected and regarded by members, parents, golf professionals, and prospective employers. The IJGA and MAJGT seek qualified applicants to learn from, observe, and assist the full-time staff as Tournament Coordinator interns. This IJGA/MAJGT internship position requires extensive travel throughout the Chicagoland area as well as limited travel to Indiana and Wisconsin. During the internship, Tournament Coordinators will help conduct junior golf tournaments under the supervision of the Associate Executive Director, Director of the Playing Member Division, Director of Youth Programming and Director of the MAJGT. This internship will help prepare you for a career in the golf or business industry and your future after school.
Seasons and Time Commitment
The IJGA/MAJGT internship program offers opportunities during the spring and summer seasons:
- Spring (2026): March 2 - May 5. Four teams of eight people each. 40- to 55-hour work weeks. Eight to nine events conducted by each team.
- Summer (2026): May 11 - September 8. Seven teams of nine people each. 50- to 65-hour work weeks. 10-13 events conducted by each team.
Note: Dates are subject to change. End dates can be accommodated.
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The Basics of the IJGA/MAJGT Internship
The IJGA/MAJGT internship offers a unique experience:
- Travel to top junior golf tournaments around the country.
- Make new friends as teams spend a lot of time together.
- Run top-tier junior golf events.
- Work in a team atmosphere.
- Problem-solve in difficult situations.
Compensation
The IJGA compensates interns $9 per hour plus time and one-half for overtime worked. The IJGA compensate a majority of tournament-related expenses (all lodging, gas and laundry, plus some food costs).
Important Dates for Application
Applications for the 2026 travel internship will open on August 11, 2025:
- Spring Deadline: October 17, 2025
- Summer Deadline: January 9, 2026
Summer candidate finalists will be required to attend a mandatory Intern Recruiting Weekend January 30 - February 1, 2026. Travel, food and lodging will be covered.
Requirements
To be eligible for the IJGA/MAJGT internship, applicants must meet certain requirements:
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- Must either be working towards or have achieved a Bachelor's Degree
- Work outside in extreme weather and temperatures
- Work in direct sun exposure
- Drive and operate company vehicles and travel via plane
- Drive and operate a golf cart
- Use and operate company equipment
AJGA Internship: Two Distinct Paths
The AJGA Internship kick-starts many careers in the sports industry. The organization offers two primary types of internships: the Traveling Internship and the In-House (Headquarters) Internship.
Traveling Internship
The Traveling Internship offers internship opportunities in the Communications and Operations departments, and is offered over the spring AND summer seasons. The Traveling Internship will give you the opportunity to travel the country and network while being paid, and can even also be used for school credit. This is a 100%-traveling internship, for which interns are placed on a team. to a different AJGA tournament each week. Each week, Intern teams travel from event to event in AJGA vehicles, and a trailer that holds all the equipment needed to run our tournaments.
Compensation and Expenses:
Traveling Interns are paid $9 per hour (time + 1/2 for overtime). The AJGA also covers all travel and lodging expenses, and some food expenses. Travel to Atlanta for the start of the internship will be paid by the AJGA but travel home at end of the internship is at each intern's own expense. Interns are provided with adidas clothing and shoes as a part of a uniform.
Team Structure:
Traveling Interns are placed in a team of eight or nine members. Each team has 6-7 Operations Interns and 2 Communications Interns.
Commitment:
For Traveling Interns, it takes an entire team to successfully run an AJGA event - the AJGA only allows Interns to leave their teams for sickness, death of an immediate family member, wedding of an immediate family member (or serving in a wedding as best man, maid of honor, groomsman, bridesmaid), or for the Intern's own graduation ceremony.
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Hiring Numbers:
Each year, the AJGA hires 30-35 Spring Traveling Interns and 60-70 Summer Traveling Interns. The AJGA covers and coordinates all lodging for Traveling Interns.
In-House (Headquarters) Internship
The In-House (Headquarters) Internship offers positions in our Finance, Player Services, and Communications Departments, and is offered over in summer only. In-House interns will work at our National Headquarters in Braselton, Georgia, Monday-Friday for 40 hours per week.
Compensation and Expenses:
In-House (HQ) Interns are paid $10 per hour and work 40-hour weeks (Monday-Friday). No travel, lodging or food is provided.
The Application Process for AJGA Internships
The application process for AJGA internships involves several steps:
- Step 1: All applicants must complete an online application and submit a resume.
- Step 2: Candidates selected will complete a virtual interview and a personality assessment.
- Step 3: Finalists will be invited to participate in a Final Virtual Interview (Spring only) or Intern Recruiting Weekend (Summer only).
The final stage in the Spring Internship hiring process consists of the top 75-100 SPRING Traveling Internship candidates who are invited to participate in a virtual interview with our AJGA full-time staff as the final stage in the hiring process. Each year, the AJGA hosts Intern Recruiting Week (IRW) where the top 100-125 SUMMER Traveling Internship candidates are invited to AJGA Headquarters in Braselton, Georgia, for a weekend-long event as the final step in the hiring process. The weekend consists of interviews, team-building exercises, industry and sports guest speakers, networking, and much more. All travel, lodging, and food expenses are covered by the AJGA. Hiring decisions are made following the weekend.
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