GOLFWORKS Spotlight: Friar's Head
Left to right: Jack Hendrickson, Lily Kaelin, Kyle Kaelin.
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (November 28, 2023) - Friar’s Head hosted the 2023 Met Amateur and has been a supporter of the MGA Foundation's GOLFWORKS internship program since 2012. A total of 13 interns have worked at the club in Riverhead, N.Y., throughout the years.
This summer, siblings Kyle and Lily Kaelin were two of the GOLFWORKS interns who worked on the outside operations staff under the supervision of caddie manager Shane Richard. The club also welcomed former intern Jack Hendrickson back to the team as part of the seasonal staff.
"They set up the range, the carts, do management of the tee. So, if I have a bunch of people on the range and they're working down there, then they will call people up [to the tee]," said Richard. "They make sure everything is tight down there. They do a lot, and they caddie on top of all that. So, it's like they're working two jobs."
My roles here are caddieng, the range, getting bags [for members], and the perch," said Kyle. "I have been doing it for three years. I think every teenager should be doing this."
"This is my second summer here," said Lily. "Most of the time, I will be at the perch and helping Shane in the cart barn."
Richard added, “We all stay on top of these kids, to continue to learn, grow, and get good grades. It seems that it brings out the best in kids. [GOLFWORKS] really does.”
The siblings enjoyed the front-facing nature of their positions on the outside ops team for different reasons.
"I pick members brains about if they were my age, making my money, what would they do, what they do [for a living], and how they would potentially provide themselves a better future," added Kyle.
Lily mentioned, "I love being outside. I have worked inside in the past, and it's summer. It's beautiful, I want to be outside. Friar's Head is a beautiful place to be at."
While Friar’s Head was preparing to host the Met Amateur this summer and maintaining its reputation as one of the top courses in the country, everyone needed to be on top of their responsibilities and manage their time effectively.
"Time management. There are a lot of different things that you need to keep in line. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. You must make sure to do the most important things first and keep everything on schedule," said Jack.
Kyle added, "I would say, being on top of your stuff. Being the best as you can and being well maintained. And finally, working as hard as you can and making this place perfect as it already is."
The beauty of Friar’s Head was on full display during the Met Amateur in early August when Josh German of Seawane captured the 121st edition of the championship.
Since 1994, the MGA Foundation's GOLFWORKS program has placed high school students at an average of 70 member clubs and facilities each golf season. The interns work in a variety of roles including on outside operation teams, in the golf shop, on the grounds crew, and inside the clubhouse. For many, GOLFWORKS provides an introduction to the golf industry as well as real-world work experience.
To learn more about GOLFWORKS please click here or contact Lou Cutolo at lcutolo@mgagolf.org.