Pet Taylor Pettit is a senior at Mississippi State University studying Marketing and PGA Golf Management. A Jacksonville native, he’s currently enrolled in the four and a half year program that includes three long-term internships—and his next one will send him to Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, which will host both the men and women’s US Open in June.
Two previous internships in Chicago and Gulf Shores prepared Pettit for this next stint at Pinehurst, which will run from February through the middle of August. While there, his internship duties include working in the pro shop making tee times, instructing junior golfers, and handling customer service. The internship requirements at Mississippi State for this program include three internships for several months at a time. It’s full-immersion.
“I’ll get to learn from other instructors while I’m there, too,” said Pettit. “I got this opportunity by reaching out to the golf professional there, and I think it will be a good fit.” Taylor and one other intern will help at the pro shop over the summer.
A golfer himself, Pettit has been on the course since he was four or five years old. His father was a golf pro, so his love for the game started young. “This has always been my passion,” he explained. This year, he’ll get the opportunity of a lifetime while working during the US Open—near the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. He won’t be taking classes during the internship but will be working 50-60 hours per week.
For the first time, the men and women’s tournaments will be held at the same course and on back-to-back weekends. The course at Pinehurst features eight different courses and is famed as a favorite spot for many famous golfers. Pettit’s family plans to attend the Open and has their tickets for the June tournament in North Carolina right around Father’s Day.
In the future, Pettit hopes to be a general manager at a top 50 golf club—and he isn’t picky about location. He’ll be able to use his extended internship experience as an advantage while applying for jobs post-graduation. As for this summer, he can’t complain about being in one of the golf capitols of the world—complete with beautiful weather and lush green grass. “I really like building relationships with people I interact with at the courses,” he said. “And this is a great opportunity.”
