From left – Erika Holmberg, Ryan Opfer and Megan Riesselman.
The 2026 IGA Championship season is in full swing, and Golf House Iowa staff members are gearing up for another exciting summer of competitive golf. The start of a new season also welcomes a fresh batch of P.J. Boatwright interns who work directly with the IGA staff to learn about different aspects of golf administration including media and marketing techniques, tournament prep, and other areas within the golf industry. This year, the IGA offers three internship positions in the areas of Championship Administration, Handicapping and Course Rating, and Marketing and Communications.
Joining the team as the Championship Administration intern is Megan Riesselman (above right) from Ames. A graduate student at Grand View University, Riesselman is studying Sports Management while working as a grad assistant for the Grand View University women’s golf team. Her background in competitive golf and pro-shop experience at Veenker Memorial Golf Course drew her to the internship.
“I’m very excited to work with the Iowa Golf Association this summer as the Championship Administration intern,” Riesselman shared. “After working as both a grad assistant and pro-shop attendant, I’m excited to learn more about the behind-the-scenes aspects of golf administration through this internship.”
Riesselman’s IGA staff mentor Karli Kerrigan expressed her excitement for her addition to the crew.
“I’m excited to have Megan join our team this summer,” Kerrigan said. “She has a strong background working in golf having spent many summers at Veenker Memorial. She’ll be able to draw on her experiences from assisting with the Iowa Masters which will make for a smooth transition. I look forward to helping her develop the necessary skills for a career in golf.”
Also new to the crew as the Handicapping and Course Rating intern is Ryan Opfer (above middle) from Waukee. Opfer is a rising junior at Iowa State University studying Management Information Systems. After formerly working at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Opfer wanted to learn more about the administration and analytical aspects of the game through this internship.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Iowa Golf Association as the Handicapping and Course Rating intern,” expressed Opfer. “I’m excited to travel to different tournaments across the state and interact with new players and volunteers.”
Nate McCoy, Opfer’s IGA staff mentor, shared his enthusiasm for Opfer’s welcome to the team.
“I’m really excited to have Ryan Opfer on board as our Handicapping and Course Rating intern this year,” McCoy said. “I can’t wait to see the great work he’ll do with us! Handicapping and Course Rating is foundational to what we do, so hopefully he will come away with a better understanding of how it all works together.”
Rounding out the interns and returning for her second year in the Marketing and Communications role is Erika Holmberg (above left) from Bettendorf. After recently graduating from Drake University and wrapping up her collegiate golfing career, Holmberg is excited to return to the IGA for another summer before beginning her student teaching placement in the fall.
“I’m incredibly excited to return for my second year as the Marketing and Communications intern,” Holmberg shared. “After having such a positive and educational experience with the IGA last year, I am looking forward to building on what I learned and bringing new ideas to the organization!”
Clint Brown, Holmberg’s IGA staff mentor, shared his enthusiasm for Holmberg’s return.
“We’re excited to welcome Erika back for her second summer with our team–either she enjoyed the experience that much, or I successfully convinced her to return with enough good humor and golf talk,” Brown said. “Erika made a tremendous impact during her first summer through her talent, professionalism, and positive attitude, and we’re thrilled to have her back. She brings a great mix of creativity, reliability, and energy to the team, and we know she’ll continue to do great things this summer.”
The experiences and education that come from the P.J. Boatwright internships are sure to leave a lasting impact on Riesselman, Opfer, and Holmberg. Whether you’re visiting Golf House Iowa or competing in an IGA tournament this summer, be on the lookout for these three!
IGA Interns Participate in National P.J Boatwright Intern Summit
Iowa Golf Association P.J. Boatwright interns Ryan Opfer and Megan Riesselman kicked off their internship journeys by attending the USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern Summit at USGA Headquarters in Liberty Corner, New Jersey last week. At the summit, Opfer and Riesselman networked with over 50 fellow interns from across the country while attending different learning seminars, breakout groups, and listening to keynote speakers.
Throughout the course of the summit, interns attended specialized workshops in the areas of Media and Broadcasting, Handicapping and Course Rating, Course Setup and Tournament Administration, and much more. During the workshops, interns were given exclusive access to rooms and facilities that are utilized for many of the major events the USGA runs throughout the year.
“It was really neat getting to experience all that the USGA Museum and Headquarters had to offer,” expressed Opfer. “We basically had full reign of the facilities and were able to explore the grounds quite a bit.”
While the interns spent most of their time learning and networking at USGA Headquarters, they also had the opportunity to take their skills straight to the golf course. New to the summit this year was an agronomy and course setup session held at Watchung Valley Golf Club. On the course, interns learned how to select pin locations, set tee markers, and mark penalty areas for tournament setup. Interns were also educated on basic golf agronomy techniques and turf grass science.
“It was helpful getting to participate in hands-on course setup activities at Watchung Valley,” expressed Riesselman. “I learned how to set up tee markers, starter tents, and other areas of tournament prep.”
In addition to participating in various breakout sessions, interns listened attentively to presentations given by USGA lead staff members, as well as remarks from different AGA representatives and the USGA President himself, Mike Whan.
“I enjoyed learning more about what goes on behind the scenes at the USGA,” shared Opfer. “There are so many ideas that I’m excited to bring back to the IGA to help better serve our members.”
At the conclusion of each day, interns had the opportunity to network with each other and USGA staff members across meals, games, and other activities. Riesselman enjoyed getting to know so many different interns during these networking sessions, “It was great getting to meet all the different interns from across the country. I made lots of friends within the industry who I will be sure to stay in touch with this summer!”
While the P.J. Boatwright Internship Summit may be over, the experiences from the trip are ones that will serve Opfer and Riesselman well throughout the duration of their internships and for the rest of their lives.
