Meet our 2025 PGA WORKS Fellow, Mackenzie Blake! Growing up in Buffalo, NY, Mackenzie was very interested in sports. In high school, Mackenzie played ice hockey and softball, enjoying ice hockey the most. Learning the responsibility and discipline it takes to play a sport, Mackenzie knew that she wanted to be surrounded in the sports realm for the rest of her life.
Mackenzie received a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management with a Concentration in Event and Facility Management from the State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland). Mackenzie made sure to connect herself right away into the sports world by serving as a member for both Club Women’s Ice Hockey and Club Softball, working as a lifeguard for the Student Recreation Center at Cortland, and serving as an intern for Cortland athletics.
After graduating from SUNY Cortland, Mackenzie was given an amazing opportunity to be a Graduate Assistant for SUNY Brockport, where she earned her master’s in Athletic Administration and served as the Assistant Coordinator of Events for Brockport Athletics along with being a member of the Women’s Club Ice Hockey Team.
As the WNYPGA WORKS Fellow, Mackenzie hopes to broaden her knowledge in the sport world and get to learn from colleagues in a professional sport setting. Mackenzie’s passion for sports and skills in teamwork and leadership are what drew Mackenzie to the position here. Mackenzie’s goal is to develop skills and knowledge in every aspect of the golf world.
Golf provides a strong foundation in event planning, community engagement, and professional development. Through the PGA WORKS Fellowship, Mackenzie will gain hands-on experience in tournament operations, youth programs, and DEI initiatives while building transferable skills like planning, detail orientation, and relationship management that will support her long term career in sports.
-Mollie Mars