Golf Career DC

College students who are passionate about golf might want to consider attending or transferring to a university that offers the Professional Golfers' Association's Professional Golf Management university program.  The PGA/PGM program is a four-and-a-half year structured educational curriculum designed for aspiring golf professionals currently enrolled in a four-year university.

The program was created in 1975 at Ferris State University.  This university was the first to gain PGA accreditation and offer the PGA/PGM curriculum.  Eastern Kentucky University, Florida State University, North Carolina State University and Penn State University are just four of the 18 current PGA accredited universities nationwide.  The University of Oklahoma will begin its PGA program in 2008.

A golfer's education

Students enrolled in the PGA/PGM program are not confined to golf as their study major.  The program acts as a supplement to their current studies.  Students can graduate with a bachelor's degree in several majors such as marketing, business administration, hospitality administration or recreation and park management.  While working on their degrees, students in the program must complete an approved internship lasting at least 16 months at an industry-related facility, company or organization. Students are also required to complete all requirements of the program and pass a playing ability test.

The current cost of the program is $6,520 for books and materials plus transportation, lodging and meals when students visit the PGA Education Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  Financial assistance is granted to deserving students at each university through scholarship, work-study programs, loans and grants. 

The program requires apprentices to have a job in the industry before graduation. If a higher position isn't available at their current facility, they may have to make the decision to go somewhere else.  Students may follow six career paths in the industry: Golf Operations, Instruction, General Management, Retail, Executive Management, and Ownership and Leasing.

To enter one of the PGA/PGM programs, students must first meet individual university entrance requirements.  The student must also demonstrate sound game playing skills.  Playing and teaching the game is the cornerstone of the golf profession making it imperative that apprentices at least know how to play.

Golf apprentices...