By Rich Larson, SJSU Faculty Advisor/Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism Management Instructor
2010 SJSU hospitality students at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
For the sixth year in a row, San Jose State University students are traveling to Pebble Beach Resorts for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, held this year February 7-13. During the week, student managers will supervise corporate chalets, corporate skybox hospitalities and on-course concessions for the Tournament.
Students will manage food and beverage staff and volunteers while interacting with VIP corporate clients and tournament guests to ensure a flawless experience. The team is comprised of 32 student managers, one student coordinator and one faculty advisor. Students have spent nearly 70 hours in intensive pre-event training and will work approximately 80 hours during the tournament. Participating students receive class credit, practical on-the-job experience, and the privilege to list prestigious Pebble Beach Resorts on their résumé—a great start for their professional career.
For many, the benefits of the Special Event Management Team (SEMT) continue beyond graduation. This program has led to exciting local and international career opportunities, including events such as the 2010 U.S. Open, the Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and careers with exciting companies such as the Oakland Athletics and NASA. Some graduates have even returned to Pebble Beach Company as full-time employees as a result of their excellent performance.
The SJSU Hospitality Tourism & Event Management (HRTM) degree program incorporates multicultural-focused academic study in hotel and lodging, food and beverage, tourism, and event management with professional experiences designed to facilitate students’ transition to their chosen career. The nationally accredited undergraduate recreation degree program prepares students for successful careers in public and private parks, recreation agencies, schools and universities, hospitals, clinics, and non-profit public service organizations. At the end of this 6th year with PBC, over 180 students will have participated in the Special Event Management team offered through the HRTM department.
The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am began in 1947, and has raised more than $85 million for charity since its inception. The tournament includes PGA professionals, amateurs and celebrities, and will be played on three courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club-Shore Course. For more information regarding the tournament, please visit http://www.attpbgolf.com.
Pebble Beach Company, headquartered in Pebble Beach, Calif., owns and operates the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts, including The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay and Casa Palmero. The company also operates four renowned golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course. Its other famed properties include the scenic 17-Mile Drive and The Spa at Pebble Beach, and it annually hosts premier events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational and the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. Site of the 2019 U.S. Open, Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted five U.S. Opens, four U.S. Amateurs, one PGA Championship, and numerous other tournaments. More information on Pebble Beach Company can be found at http://www.pebblebeach.com.