2027 U.S. Women's Open Short-Term Merchandise Intern

About the role

The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game's best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf's future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. The USGA's headquarters are located in Liberty Corner, NJ, with a recently opened campus in Pinehurst, NC.

This internship spans two major championships:

• Early May to Early June – U.S. Women's Open at Inverness Club
• Early June to Early July – U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

You will gain a comprehensive understanding of a retail operation at a major championship, working from the loading dock and office to the Merchandise Tent alongside major golf merchandise and apparel companies.

Responsibilities

Merchandise set-up and visual displays (approx. 50 hours)

• Work alongside fixture and merchandise vendors to prepare the pavilion for opening
• Assist with fixture assembly and maintenance (moving, cleaning), product load-in, organizing inventory, visual merchandising, and backstock management
• Support a variety of operational tasks that bring the merchandise operation to life

Running the Merchandise Pavilion during championships (approx. 70 hours)

• Take on responsibilities including customer service, inventory replenishment, and maintaining merchandise standards
• Work closely with vendors and help oversee volunteers across merchandise operation areas
• Gain leadership experience managing volunteers and ensuring efficient day-to-day operations
• Assist with Merchandise Volunteer check-in and volunteer apparel exchange
• Receive and process replenishment shipments, prepare merchandise for the sales floor, and complete product tagging and barcode application as needed

Breakdown of the merchandise operation (approx. 40 hours)

• Support ending inventory procedures
• Package and ship remaining merchandise and operational supplies
• Work alongside fixture vendor to dismantle displays, organize equipment, and prepare office trailer for departure

Hours per week are averages based on previous years and range from 40 to 105 hours per week.

Candidates must be capable of assisting in the movement of boxes weighing approximately 30–70 lbs., especially during early May and Memorial Day weekend.

Working relationships

• USGA Staff
• Merchandise Vendors
• U.S. Open Volunteers

Location

• Early May to Early June – U.S. Women's Open at Inverness Club
• Early June to Early July – U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

Compensation

• $18 per hour, plus overtime according to state regulations
• 40 to 105 hours per week
• Housing and travel accommodations provided for interns traveling with the USGA throughout the internship
• Candidates local to a championship site may be eligible for limited travel reimbursement

Benefits

• Mentoring relationships
• Networking opportunities with vendors, USGA staff, and volunteers

Requirements

• Teamwork: Communication is key; working together with fellow interns to execute daily tasks is a main responsibility
• Leadership: Opportunity to lead volunteers and serve as a resource for Merchandise Staff to communicate with vendors and other USGA staff; act as eyes and ears of the operation
• Creativity: Freedom to create and take ownership of projects; opportunity to present new ideas and influence visual merchandising during tent stocking
• Flexibility: Ability to jump from task to task quickly and pick up where others left off; adjust plans under changing circumstances to achieve the same goal
• Physical ability to move boxes weighing 30–70 lbs.