Alumnus Tees Up Internship Fund: Brian Silva ‘73S, ’76 Drives the Cornish Fund for Enhanced Learning Opportunities

Imagine tending the turf of St. Andrews, Carnoustie, or another legendary golf course on the Scottish coast as a UMass Amherst intern. This fantasy could come true for Stockbridge School of Agriculture turfgrass management students through the new Geoffrey and Carol Cornish Fund for Enhanced Learning Opportunities.

Golf course designer Brian Silva ‘73S, 76, is spearheading the campaign for the endowment named for his mentor and former business partner, Geoffrey Cornish ‘50G, ‘87HD, and for Cornish’s late wife. “This will be an incredible learning experience for a Stockbridge student,” he says. “I wish I were 20 again and had an opportunity like this.”

Silva attended the Stockbridge School on the advice of Cornish, a prominent golf course architect, writer, and teacher. He later became Cornish’s design partner. Over his 25-year career, Silva has designed or renovated about 150 golf courses and built an international reputation for unique courses that are in harmony with the existing environment and are fun and challenging to play. 

Silva credits a “cast of great, unforgettable characters” and “the unbelievable facilities” at UMass Amherst for much of his success.  He is eager to help other Stockbridge students have as influential an educational experience.

Internships are required at the Stockbridge School but they are not usually sponsored. The school is seeking initial funding of $250,000 for the Cornish endowment, and while individual or industry sponsors may support internships or other student activities in any of Stockbridge’s six programs, Silva emphasizes the benefits to the turfgrass management program.

Through an internship at a landmark golf course in another country, he says, “Students will learn not only about different cultures, but about different golf cultures. For example, in Scotland, golf carts are not widely used and the courses are much less lushly maintained.”

Donors may find the internships beneficial, too. By sponsoring student internships, donors to the fund may establish links to some of the world’s best links.

Give to the Geoffrey and Carol Cornish Fund for Enhanced Learning Opportunities.