Golf & Life Skills Program Intern
Position Posted: December 1, 2025 | Apply Before: February 1, 2026
Job Category & Wage: Full-time seasonal (April-August), $15/hour
Location: Holland, MI
Relevant Work Experience: See Below
Preferred Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree (or currently pursuing) in Education, Sports Management, or Business
Organization Overview
The Lake Michigan Junior Golf Association was established in 2006 but soon shifted its focus to creating a chapter of the First Tee. First Tee – West Michigan officially became a chapter on June 23, 2011.
First Tee – West Michigan is one of 150 First Tee chapters worldwide. First Tee was created in 1997 by the World Golf Foundation to use golf and character education to provide kids and teens of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values like honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. By engaging in a combination of life skills, leadership, and golf activities, First Tee’s programs will help kids and teens become valuable assets in their community and eventually, high-character, high-integrity men and women.
At First Tee – West Michigan, we are highly focused on reaching out to at-risk and disadvantaged youth. We want kids and teens to see the beauty of the golf course, learn the skills they need to succeed in life, and build relationships with those who care for their well-being. In 2024, we worked with more than 2,300 participants and managed payroll for eleven full-time staff, 70+ part-time Lead Coaches, and 50 junior coaches across a regional territory that includes Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, and Holland.
Position Description
The Golf & Life Skills Program Intern will report directly to the Program Coordinator. Inspired by a genuine passion for empowering and helping youth succeed in life, they will work diligently to promote and expand First Tee programs in Holland. The Golf & Life Skills Program Intern will lead weekly golf and life skills programs, and promote First Tee in schools, churches, job fairs and other community events, in addition to planning, preparing, implementing, and supporting all First Tee-West Michigan events.
The ideal candidate has outstanding administrative, communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, a love for working with participants ages 7-17 (and their parents), and a basic understanding of the game of golf.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Organizing- planning and executing weekly Play 9 initiative (volunteers + youth golfers + tee times)
- Coaching- Assisting and leading classes with First Tee participants 5x/week, including developing and executing lesson plans
- Teaching- Soliciting and engaging with feedback from adult volunteers, and providing feedback for teenage participants helping at class
- Planning- work with committee to plan the 2026 Putt Putt Golf Outing
- Promoting- Assist in the planning and execution of informational booths at community events
- Communicating- Dialogue with parents, partnership, golf courses, etc. about programming
- Assisting- in events (Golf Marathons, Golf Outings) throughout the West Michigan Chapter (Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Muskegon)
- Inventorying- Maintain and organize the equipment at all instructional areas in Holland
- Leading- Help oversee and prepare coach,volunteer trainings
- Adapting- Other duties assigned by the Program Coordinator
- Recruiting- re-engaging 12+ students, showcasing opportunities available
Qualifications
The following characteristics are necessary for success in this position:
- A love for working with youth (age 7 to 17) and a heart for our mission
- Ability to create and implement a lesson plan
- Ability to multitask and prioritize
- Comfortable talking with strangers and in front of large groups of people
- High integrity, attention to detail and well organized
- Flexibility-some nights and weekends are required, working non-traditional hours and locations
- Strong use of the written English language, including grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Comfortable learning online database systems
- Hubspot, Google-Suite, SalesForce, Slack, and others, are used frequently
- Must be currently enrolled in a college or university
- Some Knowledge of sports and enthusiasm for golf
Job Benefits
- Access to golf club and apparel discounts
- Free golf and ample ability to play alongside students, donors, and community advocates
- Limited weekend hours (occasional Saturday events, no Sundays)
- Holidays Off (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day)
- Mileage reimbursement when traveling outside of Holland
Interested?
We are collecting resumes and will begin the interview process in January 2026. If you are interested, we’d love to hear from you – please submit an application via handshake.
Should you have questions, please contact [email protected]
Contact: Jeff Keyser, Holland Area Director
Website Address: www.thefirstteewestmichigan.org
