skip to main content

ADVANCING THE GAME

Pathways Intern Links Golf, STEM and Latine Youths

By Danny Vohden

| Oct 18, 2023 | Liberty Corner, N.J.

Gutierrez was one of 20 interns selected as a Pathways intern for the 2023 U.S. Open at The Los Angeles C.C. (USGA/Eric Thayer)

As a teenager, Alexia Gutierrez knew she was passionate about three things: STEM education, golf and creating opportunities for Hispanic youths in her hometown of San Jose, Calif. What the 2023 USGA Pathways Intern didn’t know was that golf would ultimately be the thread that would tie the three together.

“I was a math tutoring director for two years in high school and oversaw about 100 kids in downtown San Jose every Saturday,” said Gutierrez. “We always had a break in the middle and the kids would want something fun to do. Sometimes we would have soccer or other sports, but I thought it would be great to introduce them to golf, given all the opportunities that the game had afforded me. Half of them didn’t even know what golf was.”

Out of that idea grew LatinX Golf – a Gutierrez-founded program that provided Latine youngsters with an opportunity to develop and explore a passion for two things they otherwise might not have gotten the chance to: golf and STEM. The “X” in LatinX is meant to honor inclusivity as well as serve as an ode to the variable symbol in math.

Gutierrez created a curriculum that covered the physics, chemistry and environmental science aspects of the game, including the trajectory of how a golf ball travels and testing the water sources at local golf courses. Through partnerships with local organizations, including First Tee, and various grant opportunities, she ensured that needs such as a travel, equipment and food were all provided at no cost to the participants – including the program itself.

“I knew there were connections and that there had to be ways to amalgamate the two,” said Gutierrez. “Being able to show the kids those connections while having fun activities along the way was pretty impactful.”

Gutierrez continued her own golf career at Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif., where she was a member of the women’s golf team while pursing her degree in environmental science. While studying in the Los Angeles area, she connected with Latina Golfers Association founder Azucena Maldonado, who, like Gutierrez, had built an organization aimed at making golf more welcoming and accessible for Hispanic women called the Latina Golfers Association (LGA).

null

“Being able to show the kids those connections while having fun activities along the way was pretty impactful.” (Alexia Gutierrez)

It was through that connection and shared passion for breaking down barriers to the game that Gutierrez learned of the USGA Pathways Internship Program.

“I first heard about [Pathways] through Azucena – whenever she hears about an opportunity, she always tells her girls from the LGA,” said Gutierrez. “I was naturally interested because it was in golf but also, because of her support, I knew it would be a great fit.”

After being selected from a pool of more than 300 applicants, Gutierrez joined 19 other interns for a 10-day immersive experience at the 2023 U.S. Open Championship in June at The Los Angeles Country Club, where they were exposed to various aspects of the golf industry, including broadcasting, communications, corporate hospitality, merchandising, course setup and operations. The internship also provided networking opportunities with executives from across both the golf and business sectors.

“It was such a great way to meet so many people from various backgrounds in a different way than I ever could,” said Gutierrez. “And with that, so many opportunities came – including meeting with the CEO of Greener Golf [Parker Anderson] and his objectives are completely up my alley. I never would have met him if it weren’t for this program and we’re still in contact today.”

“The biggest thing I learned is, always be genuine to who you are,” said Gutierrez. “You never know who you’re talking to – always reach out, always take that next step. Even with the other interns, learning about their stories and what they’ve achieved, it was incredible to meet so many people who had similar passions and be able to creatively share that as part of the same community.”