Michigan Golf Course Association Registered Apprenticeship helps Michigan golf courses develop talent

Launched in 2023, the Michigan Golf Course Association Registered Apprenticeship Program, partnership with the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association, Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, offers a structured pathway for motivated turf professionals to build rewarding, long-term careers.

“Staffing has become increasingly challenging,” says Jordan Caplan, golf course superintendent at Belvedere Golf Club. “This program gives us a meaningful and structured way to develop talent, build skills with consistency, and show turf and golf operations can be a long-term rewarding career—not just a seasonal job.”

For Mike Kuyers of Pigeon Creek Golf Course, the benefits have been clear. “I chose the Registered Apprenticeship because it allows us to develop talent in a way that directly aligns with our business needs,” he says. “Rather than hiring someone already trained elsewhere, we can shape their skills, work habits, and knowledge to match our standards from the ground up. When we invest in someone’s growth, they’re more likely to stay long-term—it creates loyalty and a stronger connection to the company.”

For registered apprentices, the shift in mindset is immediate.

“I don’t just see this as a summer job anymore,” says Corey of Belvedere. 

Maria, apprenticing at Pigeon Creek, agrees. “I’m now focused on the bigger picture—the full season, from opening to closing.”

Both apprentices are motivated by the opportunity to deepen their turf education. Corey wants to gain “more knowledge in the science of turfgrass management,” while Maria’s goal is to become an assistant superintendent with her U.S. Department of Labor certification in hand.

Hands-on experience is another draw. “We love working outdoors,” says Maria. “Learning by doing—while being mentored—is what makes this program so valuable.”

Ultimately, the success of the program lies in changing mindsets for employers and workers alike. By transforming summer jobs into specialized, credentialed careers, the Michigan turfgrass industry is successfully building a sustainable, loyal talent pipeline that ensures operational excellence from opening day to closing frost.