Thirty students from Kent State’s hospitality management and sport administration programs are gaining valuable hands-on experience this week at the U.S. Open Golf Tournament, held at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.

The students are helping to plan and execute various aspects of the tournament as part of a three-credit special topics class and are part of a team of 3,500 professionals needed to run the event. The students, who receive free lodging and food during their work experience, are participating in managing issues such as food and beverage options, financial planning, media management, security/access, transportation, PGA player management, player hospitality, communications, and legal issues.

Rob Heiman, Kent State assistant professor of hospitality management and instructor of the special topics course, is available for comment at 440-773-8903 (cell).