Every golfer’s dream is to be one of the lucky few who get to actually set foot on the fairways and immaculate greens at the famed Augusta National Golf Club.  Every baseball fan can picture running across the manicured outfield grass of Boston’s historic Fenway Park.

But if your name isn’t Tiger Woods or John Smoltz, then that dream probably won’t ever come true. 

Unless, however, you’re Justin Lee and Kevin Newton, two students in the Turf and Golf Course management program at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC).

Lee has landed a turf management internship with Augusta National, where the legendary Masters golf tournament is played, and Newton will be off to Boston this summer to work at Fenway Park with the Red Sox grounds crew.

“I remember watching the Masters at age 10 and I told my parents that someday I would take care of that grass,” smiles Justin.  “I’m very blessed.” 

Justin graduated from Habersham Central High in 2007 and chose NGTC’s Turf and Golf Course Management program with that Augusta National goal in mind.  “It was the first thing he said to me at new student registration,” said Joshua Jackson, his Turf and Golf Course Management instructor. 

Kevin Newton is also awed by his opportunity to work on the field at historic Fenway Park, “I keep asking myself, did I really get that job?”
 
Kevin’s trip to a major league ballpark was not a direct route. He graduated in 2007 from Duluth High School, spent a year at Georgia Perimeter College then became intrigued with turf management when he found NGTC’s website.  He made the move to the mountains and has resided in the college dorm during his studies.

“He was very open to the possibilities for his education,” said Jackson.  “His first assignment was at the Tournament Players Course at Sugarloaf Country Club and that gave him the confidence to pursue a career in the sports field.” 

The interview process for internships at prestigious places like Augusta National and Fenway Park is stringent, and Kevin and Justin had to compete with applicants from around the world, most of whom had four-year degrees.  They had to be focused and goal-oriented to make it through the grueling interview process for the positions.

“That kind of commitment and initiative shows that our students have the knowledge and skills to hold their own. They can stand tall,” said Jackson.  “It is a credit to NGTC that our students are competing – and winning – against graduates in four-year programs.  It was the hands-on approach offered by the NGTC program that made the difference, instilling in them a sense of confidence beyond their years.” 

Both Lee and Newton will be following in the footsteps of previous NGTC graduates like Carson Smith, who is currently a foreman on Augusta National’s Masters Par 3 course, and Rob Joiner, who interned at Fenway Park in 2007. 

“To be honest it was a lot more hard work than I thought it would be,” said Joiner of his major league experience.  Although nervous that he would have so much to learn, to his surprise, and to that of his peers, he was very prepared.

“The education and hands-on training I received at NGTC is something I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I thank the college and Joshua Jackson for preparing me for everything I've experienced over the last several years, said Joiner.”

Joiner is currently employed by Green Brothers Earthworks & Alliance Stone.