By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
The Sand Valley Professional Development Academy (SVPDA) was created in 2021 by PGA of America Head Golf Professionals (at the time) Derek Guzman and Jonathan Stuart as an effort to bring interns back to Sand Valley Resort for more than one year and retain full-time employees until they were ready to attain bigger roles in the industry. The thinking was that returning interns already knew Sand Valley’s policies, merchandise, management team and their customers.
“We analyzed sales numbers from year one to year two to gain a deeper understanding of the value of returning interns,” Guzman explains. “In considering what features and benefits might entice interns to return for multiple internships, we decided that various professional certifications would be attractive – U.S. Kids Golf, Trackman, Golf Genius, etc.”
In addition, Guzman and Stuart determined that bringing in their PGA of America Career Consultant to work with their young professionals would also benefit them going forward. Understanding the importance of a resume and cover letter through workshops, expanding their interviewing skills and developing a clearer picture of the future will serve the interns well as they graduate from college and enter the workforce, whether golf industry-related or not.
“With our housing and pay not a big draw at the time, we couldn’t rely simply on the spectacular golf facilities we have at Sand Valley,” says Guzman. “There had to be more to bring them back.”
Although Stuart has moved on to be the PGA of America Head Golf Professional at The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Guzman, now the PGA of America Director of Golf at Sand Valley and the 2025 Wisconsin PGA Section Patriot Award winner, has expanded the SVPDA but stayed true to its mission.
“Each year, we bring in the VP of Fan Experience of the Minnesota Timberwolves to discuss various aspects of the hospitality industry,” he boasts. “In addition, we highlight the importance of leadership and relationships in the golf industry. Through these various pillars — golf, hospitality, life applications — we’re not only grooming these interns for professional excellence, but we’re helping them see a realistic picture of what a career in golf is like. With that information, they can decide if it is or is not for them.”
In growing this program, Guzman wanted to be the internship hub for young professionals. He wants Sand Valley on a young professional’s resume to mean something special. This young professional comes with many assets – certifications, training, experience and more. What better way to send your interns into the workforce than with this advantage? They will ideally pay it forward in the future.
“The benefits of returning interns to our facility include less training, more experience on day one and a reputation for leadership and mentorship that draws some of the best PGM students in the country,” Guzman tells us. “That high level of young professionals means better customer service for our resort guests and golfers, living up to the Sand Valley Golf Resort name. Through this mentorship program, we are leaving the interns, rangers, outside operations staff and assistant professionals (anyone who works in golf at our facility) better off than they were when they arrived at Sand Valley.
