The growth of the PGA Tour over the past decade has brought a startling explosion of interest in the game and its product. For those individuals with the talent to succeed, the PGA, LPGA and Nationwide Tours offer a place to showcase their games. Each new generation produces its stars and the proliferation of college golf programs attests to the attraction the PGA Tour has among today's youth.
However, the PGA and LPGA Tours are not the only places that offer opportunities in the golf industry. The PGA of America is an association of more than 26,000 members who manage the daily operations of 20,000 golf facilities around the world. PGA and LPGA members are heavily involved in the promotion of golf to the public through instruction, tournaments, merchandising and operating local grass roots golf programs. Members serve an apprenticeship in order to learn the skills needed in the golf industry. The Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP) is a three-year program developed by the PGA of America to train people interested in club professional positions as a career. Contact your local PGA Professional or the PGA of America to learn more about the GPTP.
For those students looking to get a head start in the golf industry, there is the Professional Golf Management (PGM) degree, offered at several universities around the U.S. At the time of this writing, PGM were available at Ferris State University, New Mexico State University, Mississippi State University, Clemson University, Coastal Carolina, Florida State and Penn State University. Graduates of PGM programs receive specialized training in golf industry specific skills required to work within the game.
There have also been many changes in the maintenance of golf courses around the world. Agronomy, design, construction and care of golf courses have created a need for individuals to oversee maintenance programs. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is the premier organization of highly trained people who are responsible for the care and maintenance of golf facilities worldwide.
The golf industry is also full of opportunities for people with business skills. Hundreds of companies create thousands of jobs for those with marketing, management, and sales and support skills for their companies. College level business degrees are valuable in the preparation for any of these careers.
The opportunities for careers are being created daily and can be exciting and fulfilling. Talk to your PGA Professional to find out more about a career in the golf industry.
About the Author
Frank Mantua is a Class A PGA Professional and Director of Golf at US Golf Camps. Frank has taught golf to thousands of juniors from more than 25 countries. More than 60 of his students have gone on to play at Division I colleges. Mantua has also published five books and numerous articles on junior golf and junior golf programs. He was one of the founding members of the National Association of Junior Golfers, and is one of the few golf professionals in the country that is also a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Frank also serves as the Junior Golf Specialist on ESPN Radio's "On Par with the Philadelphia PGA".
