Grounds Intern

Geneva Lake Country Club Inc; Lake Geneva (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free housing

Uniforms provided

Lunch provided

Golf privileges

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Lake Geneva Country Club invites motivated students to join as a seasonal internship in turfgrass management. You will learn irrigation, moisture management, equipment operation, and course maintenance alongside leaders during a planned 2028 renovation window.

Flexible scheduling and hands-on mentoring help build a strong foundation in golf course operations. The program emphasizes education, mentorship, and real responsibility, with exposure to planning, data collection, and project work while

Qualifications

• Pursuing turfgrass certificate or degree or related course of study with interest in golf course management.
• Previous golf course maintenance experience preferred; early career candidates welcome.
• Ability to work outdoors, lift up to 50 pounds, and meet physical demands.

Responsibilities

• Complete daily course prep and maintenance tasks to department standards.
• Operate mowers, utility vehicles, and equipment after training.
• Monitor moisture, assist with hand-watering and irrigation under guidance.
• Participate in aerification, topdressing, grooming, sod work, and other cultural practices.
• Observe turf conditions, collect data, and report issues promptly.
• Lead small groups on assignments when ready with management support.

Skills

Physical stamina

Education

Turfgrass certificate or degree

Tools

Valid driver's license

Wisconsin pesticide credentials

Job description

Lake Geneva Country Club Lake Geneva, Wisconsin | SEASONAL INTERNSHIP

Reports to: Director of Grounds and Assistant Superintendents

THE OPPORTUNITY

Lake Geneva Country Club is looking for motivated individuals who want to build a strong foundation in turfgrass management while contributing to the next chapter of a historic club. Our internship combines daily golf course maintenance with hands-on training in agronomy, moisture management, irrigation, equipment, and project work. Interns will work alongside our leadership team, learn the purpose behind our practices, and earn additional responsibility as their skills and judgment develop. As planning progresses toward a renovation targeted for 2028, interns will gain exposure to current improvement work and the preparation involved in a major golf course project. Specific experiences will depend on the internship dates and project schedule.

ABOUT LAKE GENEVA COUNTRY CLUB

Founded in 1895, Lake Geneva Country Club is a historic private club on the south shore of Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin. Our Grounds Department is entering a period of investment and long-range improvement, with Andrew Green selected as golf course architect and a property-wide renovation targeted for 2028. We believe in developing people through meaningful responsibility, open communication, mentorship, and exposure to every side of a golf course operation.

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS

• Founded: 1895
• Golf Course: 18 holes with Driving Range and Short Game Area
• Golf Course Architect: Andrew Green
• 2028: Property-wide golf course renovation planning underway
• Greens: Bentgrass/Poa annua; variably constructed
• Irrigation: Major irrigation and pump station improvements planned in conjunction with the club's long-range improvement program
• Equipment: Significant recent investment in new Toro equipment and technology
• Season: May through October, providing a unique seasonal schedule with significant offseason flexibility
• Professional Development: Strong emphasis on education, networking, mentorship, and progressively increasing responsibility

WHO WILL THRIVE HERE

We are looking for someone who wants more than a title. The right person will take ownership of their responsibilities, ask questions, contribute ideas, and embrace the opportunity to grow alongside the golf course and our team.

Our ideal candidate:

1. Is quite curious, asks questions, and seeks to understand why we do what we do
2. Arrives on time, follows through, and takes pride in details
3. Communicates respectfully and works well with the entire staff
4. Welcomes coaching and applies feedback
5. Takes initiative while recognizing when to ask for guidance
6. Wants to contribute and actively pursue professional growth

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

1. Complete daily course preparation and maintenance assignments to department standards
2. Safely operate walk and riding mowers, utility vehicles, and other equipment after training
3. Monitor moisture and assist with handwatering and irrigation under guidance
4. Assist with sprayer calibration, fertilizer and plant protectant applications, and application records as training and required licensing allow
5. Participate in aerification, topdressing, grooming, sod work, and other cultural practices
6. Assist with irrigation repairs, drainage, nursery work, and scheduled improvement projects
7. Observe turf conditions, collect data, and communicate issues promptly
8. Lead small groups or defined assignments when ready, with management support
9. Maintain clean equipment, organized facilities, and safe work areas
10. Keep a learning journal with photographs, observations, and questions
11. Participate in progress discussions and an end-of-season evaluation
12. Perform other duties as assigned

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Turf health, growth patterns, disease identification, and weather-related decisions
• Moisture assessment, handwatering technique, and irrigation fundamentals
• Fertility, plant protectant, and growth regulator programs
• Calibration, application accuracy, record-keeping, and safe handling practices
• Cultural practices and how they influence playing conditions
• Equipment operation, care, and communication with the Equipment Technician
• Course setup and tournament/event preparation
• Fundamentals of communication, teamwork, and leading an assignment
• Infrastructure improvements and renovation preparation as projects allow
• Turf talks, guest speakers, networking, continuing education, and volunteer opportunities

Requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Pursuing a turfgrass certificate or degree, or a related course of study with a demonstrated interest in golf course management
• Previous golf course maintenance experience preferred; candidates beginning their careers are encouraged to apply
• Valid driver's license
• Willingness to obtain required Wisconsin pesticide credentials for assigned application responsibilities
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and meet the physical demands of maintenance work, including lifting or moving up to 50 pounds
• Availability for early mornings, weekends, holidays, and additional hours when conditions or events require them

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $18-$22 per hour, dependent upon experience
• Free housing available
• Uniforms provided
• Club-provided lunch while the club is open
• Golf privileges
• Professional development and volunteer opportunities
• Continuing education, turf talks, and guest speakers
• Scheduled unpaid time off, coordinated with management
• Internship dates, duration, and scheduling are flexible