Greensboro, NC – Emerson (Emme) Speas is a recent May 2025 graduate from Colorado State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Organization and Innovation Management and International Business. Originally born in Iowa and raised in Camas, Washington, Emme spent her college years immersed in academics and professional development while working multiple jobs and serving in leadership roles on campus.

Emme’s journey to becoming the 9th Sara “Sunny” Harris Hutchinson PGA WORKS Fellow for PGA REACH Carolinas is the result of saying “yes” to new opportunities and discovering a genuine passion for the golf industry along the way. What began as a high school job at a local course gradually evolved into a career direction she’s now proud to pursue, one that combines her love for golf, community, and creating meaningful experiences for others.

During her time at CSU, Emme served as the 2023 Chapter President of her sorority and the 2024 Panhellenic President, two roles that taught her how to lead teams, manage initiatives, and plan community-wide events. Beyond her campus involvement, she worked at local golf courses in Fort Collins, served as a Recreation Assistant at the CSU Campus Rec Center, and mentored first-year business students as a College of Business Peer Mentor.

Emme’s journey with golf began during her freshman year of high school. A family friend invited her to the driving range and encouraged her to try-out for the golf team. Emme went on to play for the Camas High School Papermakers until her time on the team was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More notably, this is also when she began her first job at Camas Meadows Golf Course. Starting on the cart staff, Emme eventually worked her way up to Pro-Shop Attendant, a role she held throughout high school and during some college summers.

After relocating to Colorado for college, she joined the cart staff at a local country club and ultimately landed a Pro-Shop internship at The Olde Course in Loveland during the summer before her senior year. This internship gave Emme full exposure to the inner workings of a golf course, from working as a starter and ranger to assisting in the municipal building and gaining a deeper appreciation for the course’s maintenance operations. These hands-on experiences strengthened her love for the game and inspired her to explore how she could make a lasting impact in the industry.

The PGA WORKS Fellowship has been a dream opportunity for Emme ever since she first came across it. Now, as a fellow with the Carolinas PGA Section, she’s excited to combine her leadership background, event experience, and passion for golf in a role focused on growing the game and fostering inclusion.

With a deep appreciation for the game and a strong desire to help others feel welcome in it, Emme looks forward to contributing to the Carolinas PGA Section in meaningful ways, bringing a collaborative spirit and a commitment to opening doors for others.

Please join the Carolinas PGA in welcoming Emme to the team!

Emme Speas | espeas@pgahq.com | 9th Sunny Harris Hutchinson PGA WORKS Fellow

The Sunny Harris Hutchinson PGA WORKS Fellowship is a tribute to the life and legacy of Sara “Sunny” Harris Hutchinson, whose passion for golf and commitment to inclusivity continue to inspire the next generation of professionals in the game.

A devoted mother, wife, sister, and daughter, Sunny was a proud graduate of Charlotte Latin and Davidson College. She built a successful career as a project interior designer and commercial broker at Lincoln Harris, the firm founded by her father, Johnny Harris, a prominent Charlotte real estate developer and Quail Hollow Club President.

Sunny’s deep love for golf was evident through her involvement in the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club and the Wells Fargo Championship. Her sudden passing in February 2018, at the age of 43, left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the golf community. In her memory, the Sunny Harris Hutchinson PGA WORKS Fellowship was created to honor her dedication to the sport and her belief in making golf more inclusive and accessible to all.

Now in its ninth year, the PGA WORKS Fellowship provides young professionals with a 15-month, paid immersion in the Carolinas PGA Section’s operations, helping them develop skills in various aspects of the golf industry. The program has a proven track record of success—100% of the seven past PGA WORKS Fellows have gone on to secure full-time employment in the golf industry, reinforcing its impact in shaping future leaders of the game.

The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the philanthropic arm of the Carolinas PGA Section, the largest of the 41 PGA Sections in the country. With members across North and South Carolina, the foundation is committed to serving communities and growing the game of golf through its three core pillars: Youth, Military, and Inclusion.