Bryce Monrean on board as Alaska’s P.J. Boatwright Intern

by Logan Groeneveld-Meijer

For 35 years and counting, the USGA P.J. Boatwright Internship program has provided invaluable work experience to individuals pursuing careers in the golf industry. Allied Golf Associations across the U.S. participate and hire interns in accordance with their needs.

That includes Alaska, of course, over the course of its equally brief and beloved golf season. The state’s loyal contingent of golfers can expect to see Bryce Monrean on a golf course near them this summer, serving as Alaska Golf’s first P.J. Boatwright Intern, a position made possible through Washington Golf’s (WA Golf) role as the USGA-designated Allied Golf Association for Alaska.

Bryce was born and raised in Anchorage, where he spent his youth becoming a talented hockey player, including for two years in Kenai further south. These days, he’s a junior at the University of Alaska at Anchorage, playing power forward on the school’s hockey team, and his foray into golf is just beginning. Just a few weeks into his internship, he’s already been part of what was a successful Alaska Golf Spring Jackpot in early June, the opening event on the Alaska Golf Association calendar.

“It’s been a blast so far,” Bryce said, in no uncertain terms. “I didn’t realize the enjoyment that there is behind the managerial side of golf. I was thinking, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’”

He found the job posting online and, in his words, “through the grapevine.” The star hockey player claims to have yet to break 100 when he gets out and plays, but given the enthusiasm he has for his job, that may not take long.

Bryce’s internship responsibilities go beyond what can fit on a sticky note. A championship week of work can entail setting up tees and hole locations for several rounds, assembling various tents, maintaining pace of play and any other relevant task. As Bryce has also experienced, working tournaments can present opportunities to learn the unique identities of those who come out and play golf in his home state.

“It’s been really cool to hear their side of the story, especially the people from Alaska talking about how they grew up and got into golf,” said Bryce. “It’s nice to hear other aspects of people’s lives and network a little bit.”

Bryce’s hiring is part of pedal-to-the-metal efforts by Alaska Golf to be an even greater source of any golf-related intel in the state. The association hopes to present its logo just about anywhere applicable throughout Alaska’s fast-growing player pool.

“The Alaska Golf Association is trying to do a better job of being front and center for the everyday golfer,” says Sam Olson, vice president of the association’s board. “Not just from the perspective of competitive amateur golf, but also as far as news, resources, Rules of Golf, handicapping, in order to become that one-stop shop for anything and everything Alaska Golf.”

Olson was involved with bringing Bryce on as the association’s intern, a process for which they were especially careful to find the best fit. Bryce’s sports background and connection to Anchorage and elsewhere contributed to his fit for the position, as did the ability to provide him a window into an additional sports industry role beyond that of a player.

“I think Bryce is getting the best of both worlds,” said Olson. “He’s getting a position where he’s acquiring some life skills, he’s getting to learn how to interact with people, and I think he’ll be a much stronger person for that moving forward.”

Bryce and the association’s crew do have a busy summer ahead, with state championships in several divisions set for additional destinations from Anchorage like Wasilla and Fairbanks. A rising junior at UAA, Bryce still has plenty of time to grind it out on the ice and further connect with Alaska’s working professional world.

“We’ll be all over the state this summer season and ending up in Fairbanks at the beginning of August,” he said. “I’m excited, I’ll be all around Alaska again but for a better reason, which is golf.”