By: John Manos

WAYNE, N.J. ( September 11, 2012) – Packanack Golf Club is a first-year participant of GOLFWORKS, the MGA Foundation’s student internship program. The private 9-hole facility located just off of Packanack Lake in Wayne, N.J. was introduced to the program through Packanack member and MGA Foundation supporter Rod Donnelly, who played in this year’s Day of Golf, the Foundation’s annual fundraising outing for the GOLFWORKS program. Donnelly saw the tremendous benefits that GOLFWORKS could provide and wanted to get Packanack involved.

This summer Packanack hired Jose Morel of Patterson, N.J., who works on the golf course maintenance staff under Superintendent Doug Vogel. Morel, 19, is originally from the Dominican Republic and is bilingual, which helped him become an instant asset to the mostly Spanish-speaking golf course maintenance staff as he is able to converse in both English and Spanish, serving as an interpreter of sorts for Vogel. Most of the staff are in their 40s and treat Morel like a little brother, teaching him the ropes as he goes along.

“This is a fun job,” says Morel. “I learn new stuff every day and I like that a lot because it means there is a new challenge every day.”

Vogel has been very impressed with Morel’s performance and has quickly become a supporter and enthusiast of the GOLFWORKS program.

“Jose has been great, he is very punctual, very polite, and is always ready for whatever I throw his way,” says Vogel. “He is slowly becoming the ace of my staff. And GOLFWORKS has worked out great. It is a tremendous opportunity for both the intern and the club because it teaches young adults valuable life skills that will translate to anything they do in life, regardless if it’s in the golf industry.”

Morel, a recent graduate of Panther Academy in Patterson, will begin studying at Passaic County Community College this fall. He eventually hopes to matriculate into William Patterson University in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering. He has been able to take up golf since starting work at Packanack, a perk and privilege of working at the course.

“I’m getting better every time I get out,” he says. “And I wouldn’t have been able to do so if it wasn’t for GOLFWORKS.”

About GOLFWORKS
Founded in 1994, the MGA Foundation’s GOLFWORKS program is designed to give its participants—high school aged students—exposure to the many career opportunities within the golf industry by providing meaningful summer work experiences. The young adults who participate in GOLFWORKS complete an internship in an environment that revolves around golf, which in itself can teach the lessons of honor, integrity and tradition and provides an activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. In addition, GOLFWORKS provides a good salary as well as networking opportunities to its interns, and a way for interns to learn the skills necessary to pursue their career interests.