Waterloo co-op students chip in to bring major tournaments to life
By Christie Zeb (she/her)
Waterloo co-op students play a key role behind the scenes at Golf Canada events by supporting logistics and operations that keep championship golf running smoothly.
As the national governing body for golf in the country, Golf Canada is at the heart of the sport’s growth and excellence nationwide. The organization manages initiatives like Amateur Championships and the She Plays Golf festival. Golf Canada also oversees high-profile professional tournaments on the PGA and LPGA Tours.
Carter Seguin, operations co-ordinator for professional tournaments, Golf Canada
Behind every event is a team working tirelessly to transform regular golf courses into world-class tournament venues. That’s where Waterloo’s Recreation and Sport Business co-op students come in.
At Golf Canada, students often travel across the country to support the operations of major tournaments. Waterloo co-op students are responsible for helping to set up signage, equipment and event infrastructure. They also manage inventory and prepare materials, such as play nameplates, and assist partners and suppliers on-site.
“What makes Waterloo students stand out is that they come with prior experience from previous co-op terms,” says Carter Seguin, operations co-ordinator for professional tournaments at Golf Canada.
From classroom to championship course
After spending his last two work terms with Golf Ontario, Nathan Pfeiffer, a third-year student of Recreation and Sport Business, got an opportunity to work with the team at Golf Canada as an operations assistant.
The role offered him an inside look at the professional golf industry and the behind-the-scenes teamwork needed to make major tournaments run smoothly.
Working as part of the operations team, Pfeiffer’s days were busy and varied. From helping with event set-up and coordinating volunteers, to managing golf carts and equipment, no two days were the same.
In his role, Pfeiffer also helped prepare gifts and promotional materials and assisted with crowd management at the RBC Canadian Open concert series.
“I worked in proximity with the best male and female golfers in the world to ensure they were met with world-class hospitality both at the course and at their chosen accommodations,” Pfeiffer says.
For Pfeiffer, the experience was transformative, combining his academic background with hands-on learning. The role exposed him to everything that goes into running a high-scale event and deepened his passion for sports event management.
Seguin and the team at Golf Canada appreciated having a knowledgeable staff member with a positive attitude.
Nathan came in with some existing knowledge of golf and familiarity with how tournaments are run, so it made it easier for us to get him caught up. He also had a positive mindset, did a really good job and had a great work ethic. Ultimately, his attitude was a key factor in having a successful season.
Building future leaders in sport
Seguin says hiring students like Pfeiffer allows Golf Canada to play an active role in shaping the next generation of sport business professionals. The organization provides co-op students with hands-on learning and mentorship every step of the way.
“Our recreation and sport business students thrive in roles with Golf Canada because they’re not just observing major tournaments, they’re contributing, learning from industry professionals and seeing firsthand how teamwork and leadership drive success in sport,” says Kevin Smith, co-op account manager at the University of Waterloo.
By giving students like Nathan real-world experience and mentorship, Golf Canada is investing in the next generation of sport business leaders ready to take the game further.