Backspin June 2018 | Page 37

USGA welcomes Boatwright Interns, including LGA’s Monrose The United States Golf Association welcomed 47 P.J. Boatwright Interns to their headquarters in Far Hills, New Jersey for a two-day orientation to the Boatwright Program and the world of golf administration in May. Interns traveled from all over the U.S. to attend, and included Louisiana Golf Association’s Boatwright Intern Brandon Monrose. The USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program in 1991, in memory of its long-time Director of Championships. The program is designed to give experience to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state and regional golf associations in the promotion of amateur golf on a short-term, entry level basis. During the orientation, interns heard presentations from various departments of the USGA. The presentations covered topics such as Rules of Golf, Community Outreach, Course Rating, Agronomy, Partnerships, Marketing, Handicapping and more. They also had the opportunity to get into groups and solve a number of different case studies that the USGA provided and then gave feedback. Arkansas takes Governor’s Cup Teams of 20 amateurs from Mississippi and Arkansas met at Beau Pre Country Club in Natchez, Mississippi for the 13th playing of the Governor’s Cup Matches on May 11-12. This event has a history that dates back to 2006 when the first Governor’s Cup was played at Reunion Golf and Country Club in Madison, Mississippi which resulted in a Mississippi Win. Going into this year’s competition, the record was tied at 6-6. Arkansas started off strong in the Four-Ball matches Friday morning, taking an 8.5 to 1.5 lead over Team Mississippi. Friday afternoon in foursome matches, Mississippi managed to claim 3.5 points from Arkansas to bring the Day 1 totals to Arkansas 15 - Mississippi 5. Knowing that there was work to be done on Saturday morning in the Singles matches, Team Mississippi gathered composure and came prepared to make a comeback for Singles matches. Buzz around the clubhouse confirmed members of Team Mississippi were making up some ground on their competitors from Arkansas. Mississippi claimed the win for the Singles matches 11-9, but it was not enough to overcome the Day 1 deficit. Arkansas claimed the overall victory and took the Governor’s Cup back to their home state for the year. Next year Arkansas will host the 14th Annual Governor’s Cup, and Mississippi will be looking for their second straight road victory to reclaim it. 37