FGCU golf management grad tees up job at prestigious country club
- Bill Studenc
- Student success
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
5 – minute read
Thanks to internship and mentorship opportunities offered by Florida Gulf Coast University’s professional golf management program, spring graduate Jazlyn Segura already has teed up the opening drive in her career with a job at one of the nation’s most prestigious golf courses.
After completing a series of progressive internships designed to expand her technical knowledge and professional confidence, Segura received an employment offer from The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts — the site of her summer 2025 internship.
The Country Club is one of the oldest golf-oriented country clubs in the nation and frequently hosts major professional golf championships, including the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup. It is one of the five charter clubs that established the U.S. Golf Association.
A specialized degree plus experience
FGCU’s golf management curriculum is one of only 16 PGA-accredited programs in the country — and the only one in Florida.
The program enrolls about 200 students a semester, attracting individuals from across the country interested in pursuing careers in the golf industry. It produces between 40 and 55 graduates a year who enter the workforce with both a specialized degree and extensive real-world experience gained through multiple internships, said Marty Hall, assistant director of the program in the Lutgert College of Business. The program requires over 16 months of paid internship and also pairs students with 480-plus mentors in the region.
“At its core, the program is about developing leaders for the business of golf,” Hall said. “In addition to the teaching and coaching development, our students learn how to lead teams, manage operations, drive revenue and deliver exceptional experiences in a highly competitive industry.”
The program leads to a bachelor’s degree in PGA golf management while also guiding students through the process of becoming PGA of America professionals, an industry credential that sets them apart in the workforce after graduation, she said.
Hall is not surprised that Segura is immediately stepping into a professional role at a prestigious golf club. In addition to completing previous internships at the Millbrook Club in Connecticut, Lemon Bay Golf Club in Englewood and The Club at Renaissance in Fort Myers, Segura demonstrated a strong work ethic and the ability to thrive in a highly competitive environment, Hall said.
“Jazlyn brings a level of professionalism and intentionality that immediately stands out. She approaches every opportunity prepared, asks thoughtful questions and consistently looks for ways to improve. She actively seeks out opportunities, maximizes each experience and consistently delivers results. That mindset is exactly what employers at the highest levels are looking for,” she said.
Connecting with golf professionals
Segura’s internship at The Country Club was made possible through her personal connection with Sara Dickson, director of golf at Wilderness Country Club in Naples. Through mentorship and professional guidance, Dickson helped connect Segura to the prominent Brookline club. This illustrates the FGCU program’s powerful network and commitment to providing mentors and opening doors for students, Hall said.
Segura said she believes that her experiences at FGCU have helped prepare her for her new career, characterizing the mentorship program in particular as “incredibly impactful.”
“Having the opportunity to learn from individuals who were once in our position and who understand both the opportunities and uncertainties of the industry has been invaluable as I continue to find my path,” she said.
“These relationships have opened doors and provided guidance that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I still stay in touch with my mentor, especially as I navigate job opportunities that will help shape my career, and I truly appreciate that continued support.”
Events like mentor tournaments and in-person meetups have been especially meaningful, she said.
“Being able to connect face-to-face rather than solely through technology has made it much easier to build genuine and lasting relationships,” Segura said. “I really appreciate how much effort the program puts into keeping mentors involved and engaged with us throughout the process.”
‘Sense of community’ at FGCU
Segura begins her career at The Country Club in Brookline as an assistant golf professional, a common starting position for new graduates of the program. Others pursue opportunities with golf-centric companies such as E-Z-GO, Golf Genius and TrackMan, and with professional tournament and event management organizations.
It wasn’t until she was on the cusp of her senior year in high school in Weslaco, Texas, that Segura started exploring the field of professional golf management and found FGCU’s program.
“I’m incredibly grateful that I did. As a military brat who has always loved to travel, that opportunity immediately stood out to me, especially since I didn’t fully understand what golf management entailed at the time. The chance to complete four paid internships and potentially work anywhere in the country was something I couldn’t pass up,” she said.
“What truly drew me in was how active and engaged the program was on social media. Even without visiting campus, I could see how invested the students and faculty were. That sense of community and energy made FGCU stand out to me among other schools offering similar programs, and I feel very fortunate to now be a part of it.”