Thousands of golf fans flocked to Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Millions more watched on television. But for students at the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, it was another opportunity to take part as much more than spectators.

More than 80 students from all three HRSM departments made the trip from Columbia to Long Island to work the Ryder Cup. Their roles included corporate hospitality, crowd management, operations, ticketing, merchandise sales, social media and more.

The College of HRSM not only makes opportunities like this possible, but also makes sure students are well prepared to excel on the biggest stages. For the Ryder Cup specifically, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Senior Instructor Jessica Chavis taught an eight-week class for students planning to work in corporate hospitality roles.

“Professor Chavis always does such a great job of preparing us. Gaining more knowledge in her class about corporate hospitality as a whole really allowed us to look professional when we were stepping into the workplace, which always makes the Gamecocks look good,” says hospitality management student Reagan Uffelman.

“Jessica taught us a lot in our class about designing experiences, putting others before yourself, kind of finding the fine details and manipulating those things to create the best experience possible,” adds fellow hospitality management student Christian Emenecker.

Beyond the specific Ryder Cup class, HRSM students are taught from day one to excel when opportunities like this are available. For example, David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management Senior Instructor and Internship Director Steve Taylor teaches Sport and Entertainment Careers, introducing new students to the many big events they’ll have a chance to work, and bringing in older students to serve as mentors.

“The professors really push you to take these experiences and they've kind of instilled this mentality into me to say yes to every opportunity. It doesn't matter what it is. Just take the risk, take the chance and see what comes out of it. I’ve worked five tournaments this year,” says sport and entertainment management student Brady Campbell. “They really want you to put your best foot forward here and they have so much to offer. The classes are just the beginning of the opportunities.”

The students working the Ryder Cup also got a firsthand look at the kind of career success that begins with an HRSM degree. The leadership team planning the tournament included three HRSM alumni: Operations Manager Kenny Kurzendoerfer (‘16), Volunteer Operations Coordinator Molly Heidt (‘23), Corporate Hospitality Sales and Services Coordinator Daniel Watts (‘23).

“I oversaw the entire on-site build for the event, which is arguably the largest any golf event has ever seen with a 5,000 person 1st Tee stadium bleacher, two triple decker and eight double decker hospitality venues, along with a 63,000 square foot merchandise shop among many other hospitality and general public venues around the site. In the ops world, we truly wear many hats and a lot are needed for an event of this magnitude,” Kurzendoerfer explains. He began working and planning for the event three years before the first ball was struck at Bethpage Black.

Kurzendoerfer’s role, of course, is far from an entry level position. He has been with the PGA of America for more than nine years, but the foundation was laid at HRSM, and he shows just what is possible to achieve in less than a decade after graduation.

“HRSM prepared me to enter the sports industry as it opened my eyes very early on to what all goes on behind the scenes. The program provided me access to internship opportunities I know not every university offers to its students that were essential stepping stones for me that gave me a strong foundation to build upon my early career experience to grow into what it takes to execute this role,” he says. “I always tell my coordinators and interns that I didn't get to where I am overnight and it takes time and experience to build up to the next role within our Operations team. You never stop learning.”

Current students were eager to share about that learning upon returning from the Ryder Cup. Emily George served on the CSC security team in a corporate hospitality area.

“Working the Ryder Cup gave me a better understanding of how to work with fans and people from all over the world. People from different cultural backgrounds experience sport very differently from one another, which was very evident in this year’s Ryder Cup. Going forward, I know now that it is crucial to tailor the fan’s experience to the type of fan they are, whether that is cultural, geographic, or even gender-based,” she says. “My favorite memory from the tournament came on the last day when a fan in my hospitality area kept coming outside every 15-20 minutes to give me updates on how the U.S. team was doing since I was unable to watch. He was very lively and excited to be at Bethpage, and his enthusiasm spread to me, making my experience that much better.”

HRSM students are not spectators at events like this, as Emily’s story indicates. It is hard work. Hospitality, tourism, retailing, sport and entertainment leaders are moment makers, creating and enhancing experiences for others to enjoy. However, it is incredibly exciting to be a part of something like the Ryder Cup, even if you spend very little time watching golf because you have other responsibilities.

“One of my favorite memories was getting to experience the energy on the 18th hole on Sunday,” says hospitality management student Willow King, who served as a corporate hospitality intern at one of the VIP areas. “The energy was contagious, and it was so wonderful to get to share that experience with my peers, as well as the patrons present.”

Hospitality management student Anna Bennett says another highlight was the chance to earn responsibility, build confidence and demonstrate leadership skills beyond the classroom in the spotlight of a major event.

“We go in at ages 19 to 21 and we are in charge of 20, 30, 40 year olds. We have to learn that no matter what age you are, you have a voice and they're going to listen to you. But it's that confidence that you need to have for them to know that yeah, you're going to have to tell them to do certain things and you're going to have to help them with things,” she says.

While perhaps hospitality, sport and entertainment come to mind right away when thinking of an event like the Ryder Cup, retailing also plays a vital part. Marissa Armato graduated from HRSM’s Department of Retailing in May, and at the Ryder Cup served as a brand ambassador for Peter Millar.

“I showcased premium apparel to fans from around the world and promoted the brand at one of golf's most prestigious tournaments. Working alongside so many dedicated teammates, vendors, and volunteers made the week truly memorable,” she says. “The energy, collaboration, and passion were inspiring. This experience strengthened my skills in brand representation, retail, and customer service, while adapting to the fast-paced demands of a large-scale, high-profile event.”

USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is a rare mix of fields of study that might appear unrelated at a glance, but events like the Ryder Cup, with students from every department coming together, demonstrate the connection. It’s all about making memories for people. Brady Campbell sums it up for everyone.

“If I can just change one person's experience and have them talk about it for the rest of their life, then I feel like I succeeded and I will be very impacted personally.”