USGA’s Pathways Launch program is diversifying the golf industry workforce

For twenty-one-year-old Anna La, a senior at the University of Georgia, golf was never a part of her upbringing. Raised in a Vietnamese immigrant family in Georgia, she had little exposure to the game. That changed when she started accompanying her boyfriend to the course. As she learned the lingo and fell in love with the atmosphere, La—who already had a background in sports photography and digital content—sought a way to merge her interests. She found the perfect opportunity in the USGA’s Pathways Launch, a program launched in 2026. The initiative offers graduate and undergraduate students three-month paid internships at ten major organizations, including Callaway, the LPGA, PGA of America, and the PGA Tour. The goal is to build a more diverse talent pipeline for the golf industry. La spent her summer in Carlsbad, California, working with the team at Callaway to create digital content and refine her multimedia skills. She credits the collaborative, close-knit environment for solidifying her passion for the sport. The program's impact is significant: 100 percent of surveyed participants reported feeling better prepared for the workforce, and several have already secured full-time roles. Now back at university and serving as a USGA College Ambassador, La also holds a 2026-27 scholarship from the Golf Writers Association of America. Her journey underscores a key message: you don’t have to grow up playing golf to have a thriving career in the industry.