The Machrie, one of Scotland’s leading golf resorts, is launching a Golf Internship Programme which aims to provide a ‘hands-on insight into the golf and leisure industry and a unique learning experience for young talent considering this career path’.
Open to eight people, the three to 6-month paid internships will provide the opportunity to live on Islay, play on the hotel’s championship golf course and gain invaluable training with practical skills as well as career advice, CV development and interview techniques.
During their time at The Machrie, Scotland’s Hotel of the Year 2020, interns will work across various departments throughout the facility.
The Golf & Hotel Operations Internship covers everything from marketing initiatives and retail management to running and planning golf days and events, and food and beverage operations, with the opportunity to work with different Department Heads and attend Executive Management meetings, ensuring interns gain a thorough understanding of the inner workings of a successful golf hotel.
Meanwhile, the Championship Links Maintenance Internship delves deeper into the practicalities behind maintaining a golf links such as learning how to preserve the perfect grass, correct usage of machinery, bunker maintenance, and the budget process.
The programme includes a period of induction to each department, as well as thorough training and, following this, designated tasks and duties. Ongoing support, with regular feedback, will be provided throughout as part of the mentor programme. Additionally, independent training assessments will be issued, as well as frequent access to industry ‘gurus’.
Whilst enrolled on the internship programme, students will frequently spend days playing casual and competitive golf on the world renowned 18-hole The Machrie Links. Designed by Willie Campbell and recently modernised by course architect DJ Russell, it is ranked in the Top 100 courses in the world by Golf World Magazine. Interns will have access to the hotel’s impressive range of golf facilities including a six-hole Par 3 Wee Course, the all-season, five-bay driving range, golf simulator room, trackman and short game area. The internship will also provide an opportunity to play one other of the best courses in the vicinity.
During the programme, there will be organised social events and interns will be encouraged to explore Islay, including the seven miles of rugged beach outside the hotel, walk or cycle the 70 trails available on the island, as well as try wild kayakingin search of bottlenose dolphins, minke whales, basking sharks and orcas.
Paul Lawrie, winner of The Open in 1999 and founder of the Paul Lawrie Foundation spoke of The Machrie’s continued focus on and support of promoting golf to young people. He said:“Following on from The Race to The Machrie, which my Foundation is involved with annually, this is another very exciting development from The Machrie and a further commitment to developing the game and golf industry from the team. The development of an intern programme is an extraordinary opportunity for anyone wishing to have new experiences in an exceptional golf environment, enter the golf industry or enjoy a Summer on Islay playing golf and developing transferable skills for any walk of life.”
Applicants are invited to apply at www.campbellgrayhotels.com. The deadline for submissions is 12pm on 9 January 2022, with internships running between April 2022 to October 2022.
