See a link to the Onwentsia Club Internship Brochure Here: Internship Brochure

Onwentsia Club, founded in 1895, is a private 18-hole golf club located 30 miles north of Chicago near the shores of Lake Michigan. One of the oldest clubs in America, Onwentsia is among only five in the country to have hosted the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur, and U.S. Senior Amateur Championships. Most recently, the club hosted the 123rd Women’s Western Amateur in 2024, where the course challenged the entire field with its classic design and formidable conditions. 

The golf course was restored in 1997 by Tom Doak, and as a part of our long-range Master Plan, new improvement projects are initiated each year, including a new USGA spec croquet court built in 2021, as well as an architecturally designed dry ditch featured on the 17th hole in 2024. The Club celebrated its 130th anniversary this year. 

Onwentsia Club prides itself on providing an exceptional golf experience through excellent playing conditions and a clean, detailed course presentation. As such, interns will work closely with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents on many aspects of daily operations. During the first week, each intern meets one-on-one with the management team to identify strengths, areas for growth, and professional goals —ensuring a meaningful and personalized experience at Onwentsia, as well as preparation for long-term success in the turf industry.

Assistant For a Week: 

One of the most unique experiences offered to Onwentsia interns is the opportunity to serve as Assistant Superintendent for a week toward the end of summer. During this time, the selected intern takes on real leadership responsibilities—overseeing the crew, managing daily workflow and scheduling, and reporting directly to the Superintendent, just as a full-time Assistant would. Year after year, this experience has proven to be one of the most valuable aspects of our internship program, helping interns build confidence, develop leadership skills, and prepare for their next step in the turf industry. The Onwentsia internship provides an exceptional opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge in golf course management while working in a supportive and professional environment.