Discover Castle Pines Golf Club
One of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses
From its origination in 1981, Jack Vickers envisioned a golf club that would set a standard of excellence in all phases of its operation. From the Jack Nicklaus designed course to the dining experience, on-site cottages, the classic clubhouse atmosphere and beyond, accommodating hospitality and world-class quality remain a signature of Castle Pines Golf Club today.
Located just 30 minutes south of Denver, Castle Pines is currently ranked #50 in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses,” and was the host of the 2024 BMW Championship.
Why Work at Castle Pines Golf Club?
Learn from our management team with over 100 years of collective golf course maintenance experience
• Participate in unique turf team rotation schedule exposing you to all aspects of our operation
• Be a part of our team where healthy culture is emphasized
• Discussions about industry topics highly encouraged
• Close proximity to City of Denver, City of Colorado Springs, Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Rocky Mountains
• Complimentary Housing
Become an Intern
Founder
Jack Vickers hired Jack Nicklaus to design Castle Pines in 1980.
The Internship Program at Castle Pines Golf Club is designed to help aspiring grounds and maintenance professionals develop and expand their skills and knowledge.
Castle Pines Golf Club is dedicated to running one of the best internship programs in the country. Our goal is to not only develop young professionals but also help them advance into positions where they can apply the skills they’ve learned at other institutions.
THE INTERNATIONAL
Castle Pines ran THE INTERNATIONAL tournament on the PGA TOUR for 21 years. Past champions include Phil Mickleson, Ernie Els, Davis Love and Vijay Singh.
“Amen Corner [at Augusta] famously got its nickname because of the unpredictability of being down there in that pocket, there’s Amen Corners all over this place out there so you’re going to need a Fields Medal to work out what the winds doing with the altitude.” - Brandel Chamblee
On the BMW Championship...
“...the crew have done an incredible job with this golf course. Just fantastic. A lot of work into this and money the last decade.” - Steve Sands
“Castle Pines is the finest venue on TOUR.”
- Shane Lowry
Internship Experience
• Participate in all daily maintenance activities.
• Learn and participate in all agronomic activities including ride spraying, spray hawking, fertilizing, and in-season cultural programs.
• Opportunities to participate in daily management meetings and weekly team transfer meetings.
• Opportunity to schedule and run crew.
• Participate in monthly Intern Learning Program with a variety of topics and guest speakers. Some topics and speakers may include:
• USGA Agronomist
• Irrigation Design Consultant
• Water Quality Expert
• Plant Growth Regulators
• PGA TOUR Agronomist Q&A
• Professional Development classes
• Resume Class
• Mock Interview
• Opportunity to interface with other departments, Golf Ops, etc.
Requirements & Benefits
Requirements
• Applicants of all experience and education levels will be considered. Your internship will be tailored to your skill and education level.
• Must be motivated to succeed in the turf industry.
• Good attitude and team player mentality.
Compensation and Benefits
• Housing
• Uniforms
• Lunch provided by club
• Golf privileges
• $20 per hour plus overtime
Meet the Team
Led by Director of Golf Course & Grounds, Scott Pavalko
Trevor Meints Superintendent of Grounds & Agronomics
Travis Friar Superintendent of Grounds
Kyle Epperson Assistant Superintendent
Conrad Hoover Assistant Superintendent
Carson Licht Spray Technician
Julia Berry Head Horticulturist
Additional Key Turf Staff
Billy Lacheta
Andrew Bliss
Dan Floyd
Benson du Chemin
Jess Shedden
Unique Turf Learning Program
Each intern will join one of our three turf teams. To spread out responsibilities and diversify experience, turf teams rotate through three general areas of responsibility for one week at a time.
week one Water Management
This week can be the most demanding. Turf team members are responsible for all water management on the golf course. This includes hand watering greens, supplementing tees, fairways and rough as needed. This week includes working the weekend.
week two Crew Management
During crew management week, turf team members are responsible for scheduling the entire golf course maintenance crew. This includes morning jobs, second assignments and managing any projects. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in the daily scheduling of our staff and possibly run morning meetings.
week three
Agronomy
Agronomy week involves participating in the spray operation, learning to run GPS ride-on sprayers, spray hawk greens and participating in all other agronomic activities.
Tournament Tradition
A rich history of hosting professional tournaments
Jack Vickers always dreamed of building a world-class golf club capable of hosting professional tournaments. His dream was realized soon after opening Castle Pines, with the creation of The INTERNATIONAL in 1986. Running on the PGA TOUR for 21 years until 2006.
After an 18 year hiatus, the TOUR returned to Castle Pines in August 2024 with the BMW Championship.
Intern Exchange Program
The 2025 class of interns was the first to participate in our Intern Exchange Program. Each of our six interns had the opportunity to spend a day at TPC Colorado learning from Director of Agronomy, Kevin Malloy, a day at Greeley Country Club learning from former CPGC Superintendent of Grounds, Brandon Wollesen, and a day at the exciting new Dream Golf project, Rodeo Dunes. Itinerary for 2026 is likely to include some or all of the following: TPC Colorado, Rodeo Dunes, Greeley Country Club and Roaring Fork Club.
A Tradition of Advancement
Current Management Team
Travis Friar
Current Superintendent of Grounds (2017 Intern Class)
Kyle Epperson
Current Assistant Superintendent (2020 Intern Class)
Conrad Hoover
Current Assistant Superintendent (2022 Intern Class)
Many former CPGC Interns have advanced in the industry, both here and at other clubs:
Intern Class 2022
John Kolaski
Assistant Superintendent Metedeconk National Golf Club
Josh Nelson
Assistant Superintendent Nantucket Golf Club
Intern Class 2023
Brandon Abila
Assistant Superintendent Todd Creek Golf Club
Sean McMahan
Assistant Superintendent Mohawk Golf Club
Intern Class 2024
Brody Piel
Assistant Superintendent
Olympia Fields Country Club
Cody Caldwell
Assistant Superintendent Travis Club
Clayton Bone
Assistant Superintendent Effingham Country Club
Trey Walker
Assistant Superintendent Muirfield Village Golf Club
Others Have Recently Moved On to Roles At:
Torrey Pines Golf Course
Kip Evans (AIT)
Greeley Country Club
Brandon Wolleson (Director of Agronomy)
Roaring Fork Club
John Calendine (Director of Agronomy)
Additional Information
Below are links to learn more about Castle Pines and the Golf Course Maintenance team.
Golf Digest’s “Every Hole at Castle Pines Golf Club”
Jim Nantz narrates a hole-by-hole flyover of Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, site of the 2024 BMW Championship.
https://www.golfdigest.com/video/every-hole-at/every-hole-at-castlepines-golf-club
Superintendent Network
Educating, promoting, inspiring, and connecting the superintendent community.
https://www.superintendentnetwork.com/network-clippings/aconnection-from-the-course
https://www.superintendentnetwork.com/network-clippings/not-a-zerosum-game
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-3HL32gc_U
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-4zqKpvW4X
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-77MfRg5II
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-_NgFWP9et
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_BVdoVuQA_
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-WNvc8NRoy Podcasts
https://bloomgolfpartners.com/podcast/podcast-rewind-leading-throughchange-with-scott-pavalko/
https://youtu.be/SLiSKyN9Dz4?si=DmQD_skfSkW-js4X
https://www.thefriedegg.com/podcasts/superintendent-roundtable
If you are interested in interning at Castle Pines Golf Club, send your resume and cover letter to Scott Pavalko, Director of Golf Course & Grounds, at spavalko@castlepinesgolfclub.club.
