Jordan: Rachel, I am looking forward to learning more about your journey into golf and the PGA WORKS Fellowship through our conversation today.
Jordan to Rachel: Talk about your background and how you got started in the game of golf. Was golf always part of your story or did the game find you?
Rachel: My dad put a golf club in my hand as soon as I was able to toddle around outside. He was a scratch golfer in his college years, but his calling was to be a Dentist. I played competitively as soon as I could - I even placed second in a regional Drive Chip and Putt when I was seven years old. Naturally, I continued with the game. I played soccer, softball, and basketball, but golf always stuck more than the others. I was born and raised in Louisiana, and the only opportunity for exposure at the time within a reasonable travel distance was the Texas Junior Golf Tour. My dad even caddied for me during a couple of tournaments. I joked with him that he could be my caddie when I made it big. Maybe that will still happen one day. Anyway, I played in the TJGT for four years during high school, and I credit the TJGT with my recruitment onto the Oral Roberts University Women’s Golf Team.
How about you, Jordan?
Jordan: Golf was not always a part of my story. I did competitive cheer for about five years, pouring my heart into the sport and building strong teamwork and athletic skills. However, after an injury sidelined me, I had to reevaluate my path and decide what was next. One day, I went to Top Golf with my brother to take some lessons before he left for college. That casual outing quickly turned into a newfound passion. I fell in love with the game—the challenge, the technique, and the mental focus it required. Encouraged by my growing enthusiasm, I decided to try out for my high school’s women’s varsity golf team. Making the team was a turning point for me, providing a sense of purpose, competition, and camaraderie that I didn’t realize I was missing. Now, golf is such a huge part of my life that I can’t imagine what I would have done without it!
Jordan to Rachel: What made you interested in pursuing the PGA WORKS Fellowship with your Section?
Rachel: The opportunity to pursue a PGA WORKS Fellowship with the South Central Section appeared when I was out of a job and looking for something to give me direction. Now, I played Division I college golf at Oral Roberts University for a couple of years and I played golf my entire life, but when I graduated, I actually started in the workforce as a Director of Marketing for a startup tech company in the Tulsa Metro area.
However, like most startup companies, this one didn’t last long - less than a year, actually. Soon, I was left looking for more work. During that tumultuous time, I decided I had nothing left to lose and I wanted to pursue golf again. That’s when I learned about the Fellowship through the South Central Section. Golf has been a blessing to me throughout my life, and this was my opportunity to give back to the game using the skills I’d learned during my time as a Director of Marketing and lifelong player. I wanted to foster new generations of players with the hope that golf is as much of a gift to them as it is to me. What about you?
Jordan: I was interested in pursuing the PGA WORKS Fellowship here in the Georgia Section because of the amazing things I had heard about the Section itself—its commitment to growing the game, fostering inclusivity, and providing incredible opportunities for young professionals. Additionally, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to expand my horizons beyond Florida after graduating college. I wanted to challenge myself by stepping into a new environment, building connections in a different region, and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the golf industry. The Georgia Section’s strong reputation for mentorship and career development made it an ideal place to start my journey, and I was eager to contribute to and learn from an organization that has such a meaningful impact on the sport.
Rachel to Jordan: What does a typical day look like for a PGA WORKS Fellow in the Georgia Section? What is the dynamic like at the office?
Jordan: A typical day for a PGA WORKS Fellow in the Georgia Section is dynamic and rewarding, filled with opportunities to make a real impact on the game of golf. My day often begins with communicating and coordinating with PGA HOPE Lead Instructors and Veterans to ensure our adaptive golf programs run smoothly, providing support and planning events that help Veterans engage with the sport in a meaningful way. Additionally, I take an active role in planning and executing our inclusion program, Her Shot, which is designed to introduce and empower young girls of color in golf by providing them with resources, mentorship, and hands-on experiences.
Beyond those responsibilities, I also assist in various aspects of our junior golf initiatives, including the Georgia PGA Jr. Tour, Jr. League, and Drive, Chip & Putt. Whether it’s organizing tournaments, coordinating logistics, or engaging with young players and their families, I help ensure these programs run efficiently and continue to inspire the next generation of golfers.
Each day brings new challenges and learning experiences, making this role both exciting and fulfilling as I work to grow the game and create inclusive opportunities for all.
The dynamic at the Georgia PGA office is incredibly welcoming and family-like. The team fosters a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated. There’s a strong sense of camaraderie, with staff working closely together to achieve common goals while also celebrating each other’s successes. Whether it’s assisting members, planning events, or just enjoying daily interactions, the office culture is built on mutual respect, teamwork, and a shared passion for growing the game of golf. It truly feels like a close-knit community rather than just a workplace.
Rachel: That’s super interesting to hear your different responsibilities, Jordan. A typical day during tournament season for me in the South Central Section usually involves a lot of outdoor setup the day before and the day of a tournament. Outside of that, I am involved in many projects that help me learn the back-end of tournament operations, such as drafting and printing scoreboards or cleaning up data so our Section rosters are up-to-date and our tournaments are properly set up within the scoring software we use. I’ve done a lot of administrative work to help our Director of Section Operations and I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with social media and marketing material.
There have been many times where we’ve all worked on the same projects together because we are one of the smallest sections - more hands make light work, you know? We do what needs to be done, no matter if it’s outside our defined scope of work. That’s how much we love the game and how much we care about providing well-run tournaments.
I wanted to challenge myself by stepping into a new environment, building connections in a different region, and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the golf industry.
Rachel, can you talk about representation in the golf industry and how you believe PGA WORKS and the Fellowship is helping change the narrative?
Rachel: I can’t speak for every under-represented group in the industry, but I can speak for women. Golf has always had this entry barrier for women because we are so outnumbered and certainly underfunded. For example, I was the only girl golfer at my high school, despite my high school having over 4,000 students. I’ve also heard horror stories about the biased distribution of funds between men’s and women’s high school and collegiate golf programs.
However, I’ve seen a dramatic change in the player base because of efforts among the PGA and PGA-affiliated facilities - there is an increase in the number of girls and women taking up the game because of the expansion of opportunities. PGA WORKS and the Fellowship are influencing the golf industry in much the same way by providing more opportunities for women to work in a sports industry that is unlike any other. I’d love to hear your thoughts as well, Jordan!
Jordan: When I started playing golf in 8th grade, I quickly realized that many people still viewed it as a male-dominated sport. At times, this made me feel out of place, as if I had to work even harder to prove that I belonged. Despite those challenges, I stuck with it because I loved the game—the strategy, the discipline, and the personal growth it offered. Over the years, I’ve seen positive changes in the industry, with more initiatives aimed at making golf a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.
That’s why being part of PGA WORKS and the Fellowship is so meaningful to me. Seeing firsthand the efforts being made to break down barriers, create opportunities, and redefine who belongs in golf has been incredibly inspiring. Programs like PGA WORKS are actively working to change the narrative, ensuring that young professionals from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed and valued in the industry. Additionally, hearing the success stories of previous Fellows—many of whom have gone on to have impactful careers in golf—has further reinforced my belief that this program is making a real difference. It’s empowering to be part of something that is shaping the future of golf, and I hope to continue contributing to that progress in any way I can.
Jordan, outside of work and golf, what are your hobbies and interests – anything outside of golf that you like to do for fun?
Jordan: Besides golf, I love to go to Orange Theory classes! Fitness has always been an important part of my life, and staying active has helped me maintain a sense of balance, especially during my transition from college to a full-time position. Orange Theory’s high-energy, structured workouts give me the perfect mix of cardio and strength training, helping me stay physically strong while also improving my mental focus and endurance—both of which are valuable on and off the golf course.
Getting a good workout before or after work has been key to staying healthy and managing stress during this new chapter of my life. The transition from being a student to working full-time can be overwhelming at times, but having an outlet like Orange Theory has kept me motivated, disciplined, and feeling my best. Plus, I love the supportive community and competitive atmosphere, which reminds me of my days as an athlete in competitive cheer and golf. It’s more than just exercise—it’s a way to reset, stay energized, and keep pushing myself to be better every day! What about you, Rachel?
Rachel: I am outdoorsy. I love to hike and hunt and fish and camp and ski. I’ve made so many memories with family and friends during mountain adventures. It’s a privilege to be able to enjoy the outdoors in such a personal way. I am also part of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which focuses on conservation of the North American Elk populations. I’ve volunteered a few times with them, and it’s been a blast. On the other hand, I’m also quite the nerd. I love games of any kind - board games, video games, card games, tabletop games, you name it. Oh, and don’t ask me about Star Wars or you’ll be stuck listening to me for hours.
Jordan to Rachel: That is all super impressive! Growing up in Florida, I always enjoyed fishing, but never got to ski or hunt much.
Rachel to Jordan: Back on the topic of PGA WORKS, if you could tell a freshly graduated young professional about the PGA WORKS Fellowship, what would you say?
Rachel: You have a job that allows you to be outside and move around, not sitting behind a cubicle. You’ll be pulled into such a wonderful community that is unlike any other sports community out there, and because of that, there are so many connections to be made that could take you anywhere in the country with job offers you could never dream of. Golf is such a personal sport. Even if you don’t stay in the golf industry, I guarantee it will have a lasting impact on you.
Jordan: Do it! Take the risk. Move out of your comfort zone if you need to. This Fellowship has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career so far, and it has truly helped me gauge what I want to do within the golf industry long-term. You never know where an opportunity like this will lead you! If you would have told me a year ago that I would be offered a full-time position within PGA REACH Georgia after just eight months of my Fellowship, I wouldn’t have believed you.
The PGA WORKS Fellowship not only provided me with hands-on experience but also gave me the chance to build meaningful relationships with professionals in the industry. It opened doors that I didn’t even know existed and showed me how connected and supportive the golf community truly is. I’ve gained invaluable skills in event planning, program development, and community engagement, all while contributing to initiatives that make a difference in people’s lives.
So if you’re considering it—go for it! You never know just how much it could change your life.
That is great insight, Jordan.
Jordan to Rachel: On a similar note, what do you hope for the next generation of leaders in golf and beyond golf?
Rachel: Chuck Hogan says in his book Rethinking Golf, “...Traditions define the culture and its members. Some of the traditions generate appropriate outcomes and some of the traditions create limitations and suffering for [the culture’s] members… Traditions can be wonderfully useful. Traditions can be devastating. A member of a culture must stand outside the culture to notice which is which.”
I hope we have leaders who will continue to grow the sport in ways that respect its useful traditions while embracing change. We don’t want to hold onto traditions so tightly that we lose a whole generation.
Beyond golf, I hope that leaders don’t lose sight of the bigger picture, which is the future of society. I want them to ask themselves: will this benefit the greater good and the generations after me? This requires objective and objectively good morals; ethical discernment, that is, judgement; and a determination to remain uncompromising in these two things.
Jordan: I love how you mentioned benefitting the greater good and generations to come. My outlook is somewhat similar; I hope that the next generation of leaders, both in and beyond golf, continue to be welcoming, forward-thinking, and influential in shaping the future of the sport. I truly believe that this current generation has made incredible strides in changing the game for the better—creating a more inclusive, accessible, and diverse environment for players, industry professionals, and fans alike. Golf is no longer seen as an exclusive sport for a select few; instead, it’s evolving into a space where people of all backgrounds feel welcomed and encouraged to participate.
As we look toward the future, I hope the momentum continues. I want to see golf continue to break down barriers, reach new audiences, and remain a sport where people not only feel included but also empowered to pursue careers, compete at the highest levels, and find a lifelong passion in the game. The next generation of leaders is responsible for building on this progress, ensuring that golf remains a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of background, gender, or skill level. I’m excited to be part of this movement, and I can’t wait to see how the game continues to evolve in the years to come.
Jordan to Rachel: Before we finish here, what are your plans after the completion of your Fellowship in the South Central Section?
Rachel: I have committed to working full-time with The Club at Indian Springs in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. I will start as an Assistant Golf Professional, and my goal for that role is to get my feet wet and learn what it’s like to teach, run club tournaments, and manage the golf department of a country club in general. I want to be very hands-on in my work within the golf industry. Working at a country club like Indian Springs allows me to further hone my player engagement skills and continue to discover more facets of what I like to do within the golf industry.
How about you, Jordan? Do you plan to stay in Georgia?
Jordan: I’m excited to share that after completing my PGA WORKS Fellowship in May, I will continue my journey with the Georgia PGA as the PGA REACH Georgia Program and Operations Coordinator!
The past 10 months as a PGA WORKS Fellow have been truly transformative. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with an amazing team, learning from industry leaders, and contributing to initiatives that make golf more inclusive and accessible. This experience has deepened my passion for growing the game and making a meaningful impact through programs like Her Shot, PGA HOPE, the Georgia PGA Junior Tour, and Drive, Chip & Putt.
In this new role, I look forward to continuing our work at PGA REACH Georgia, driving its mission to positively impact lives through golf. Excited for what’s ahead and to keep growing this incredible game!
Through PGA WORKS, we are committed to helping equip the next generation of leaders. It’s our why behind being as intentional as possible when it comes to opening doors for new professionals to make an impact on the golf industry and beyond. We’re serious about establishing golf as both a game and a business open for anyone – and it takes all of us to get there. Learn more and apply for the PGA WORKS Fellowship →