Hospitality students interning at Masters golf tournament


HRTM students pose for a photo prior to leaving for their trip to the Masters. See story below for student names and their hometowns.

Hospitality students interning at Masters golf tournament

30 Mar 2017     By Brad Stauffer

Billed as “a tradition unlike any other,” the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, will feature a lineup of University of Nebraska–Lincoln students again this year. Interning as hospitality professionals, 15 students and their professor from Nebraska’s Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) program will work with members, patrons and staff at Augusta National for the 2017 Masters Tournament, beginning April 1.

The group left Lincoln March 30 and will be among the 2,000 hospitality professionals needed to serve the event. The Masters Tournament runs April 6-9 but the HRTM team will be on the historic grounds from March 31 through April 9, before and during practice rounds and the tournament. More than 300,000 patrons are expected to enjoy the unique experience that is the Masters.

“Augusta National is consistently listed as one of the top golf clubs in the United States, and is notably outstanding at exceptional service," said Shannon Rowen, director of academic programs and assistant professor of practice in the Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management program. “We are thrilled to be returning to Augusta National Golf Club this year with a larger contingent of HRTM students. This is an incredible experience and opportunity for the students to represent our program. We are so thankful for our relationship with Augusta National, and look forward to contributing to the success of the event.”

Rowen and Nebraska students will serve in a variety of roles at select locations throughout the property as greeters, valets, servers, front office staff and supervisors. Students attending, are pictured above. All but one is from Nebraska:

Front row, L-R: Jaki Zahourek, Scribner; Madison Plautz, Lincoln; Makenzie Kalkowski, Wisner; Taylor Carlberg, Johnson Lake; Marissa Sandman, Beatrice; Katie Kupka, Omaha; Natalie Pfeifer, Grand Island; and Maddy McClure, Columbus. Back row, L-R: Shannon Rowen, assistant professor of practice, Nutrition and Health Sciences; Katie Coil, Hastings; Cassidy Kruse, Lincoln; Haley Jones, Bellevue; Murray Gilbertsen, Papillion; Alyssa Zizzo, Menasha, Wisconsin; Alexandra Lambert, Omaha; and Makenzie Fosler, Waverly. 

HRTM students have a leadership minor and can specialize in club management, event management, lodging, human resources, food and beverage management, and/or tourism. The HRTM major resides jointly in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the College of Education and Human Sciences. For more information, visit http://go.unl.edu/hrtm.


College of Education and Human Sciences
Nutrition and Health Sciences
Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management