(Editor’s note: This is based on a College of Applied Sciences and Arts blog post. Read the full story.) 

Heading out to the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament this weekend? You may see some familiar faces.

A group of 34 hospitality and tourism management, kinesiology and communications studies students will be managing the concessions, chalets and skyboxes along the course.

The Special Event Management Team spent a full week during winter break training for the event. 

The Hospitality Management program has partnered with Pebble Beach Resorts on this event since 2006.

For the first time, the students will be using iPads purchased with a grant from the College of Applied Sciences and Arts dean’s office.

The iPads streamlined the training process by eliminating the need to duplicate (and carry!) a 900-page training manual for each team member.

Of course the human touch remains essential. Training days at SJSU began with students transforming the Boccardo Business Center into a slice of Pebble Beach by setting the tables with linens and centerpieces.

Program Director and Lecturer Rich Larson uses this exercise to, in part, show the students that attention to detail matters, right down to the tilt of the window blinds. 

In addition, Pebble Beach staff members led by Director of Special Events Beat Giger make presentations on everything from food safety to human resources to hospitality.

The program fills a real need for the resort while providing students with hands-on experience at one of the world’s most beautiful locations.

“It’s our good fortune to be in proximity to such a well-known resort and golf course,” Larson said.