Monday, October 25, 2010

Become professional PGA golfer

"The PGA's training courses are tried and tested and helped put me on the pathway to success."
Ian Poulter, PGA Professional

"Every golfer dreams of success, and I was certainly no different when starting out on my career to become a professional golfer.

"Your vision may be crystal clear, but without a plan it's just a dream, which is why becoming a qualified member of the PGA has provided me with a secret weapon and the solid foundations and springboard for my playing career.
"Today's programme is even more technologically advanced than when I completed the diploma in 2000 and even if you pursue a career on the Tour the depth of knowledge and understanding of the game will always stand you in good stead.

A Career in Golf

Becoming a PGA professional unlocks the door to a rewarding and exciting career in a sport that spans the globe and is played by 60 million people. Many young golfers set their hearts on playing on tour alongside Tiger Woods and Co. but plenty of other opportunities exist in professional golf far beyond the confines of the golf course and PGA professionals fill many of these roles while also successfully playing. See Careers in Golf and for a revealing insight into becoming a PGA professional read the account by former Ladies European Tour star Alison Munt who graduated in 2009 and shares her experiences of taking the PGA Foundation Degree here.

Opportunities

The PGA, both regionally and nationally, organises upwards of 900 tournaments a year with prize money in excess of 3.5m. Joining the ranks of the PGA unlocks the door to a broad spectrum of career opportunities. PGA pros are top class players but are also experts in other areas of the golf industry whether managing and running clubs in a club pro role, coaching and teaching, utilising their equipment knowledge as custom-fit technicians or pursuing senior management roles such as director of golf posts.

Qualifying

Qualifying as a PGA professional is done via two routes. The first, and most popular, is by becoming a registered assistant at a PGA recognised golf facility where trainees complete a three year Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies, accredited by the University of Birmingham. The degree involves working through study guides, assignments, residential weeks at the National Training Academy at the PGA's Belfry headquarters, exams and attaining coaching awards. Among the subjects studied are golf coaching, sports science, equipment technology, business management, marketing, golf rules and tournament administration.

The second route into the PGA is via a three year BA Hons Degree in Applied Golf Management Studies at the University of Birmingham. The AGMS is the first degree of its kind in the UK and is ideal for golfers interested in pursuing senior managerial roles in golf.

More Information
The PGA offers a three-year Foundation Degree leading to full PGA membership.
The university has a number of set open days and students are encouraged to visit, see the campus and facilities and talk to our students and staff - visit the University of Birmingham for more information. There are also specific AGMS open days at The Belfry, which are by invitation only.
For further information on the course, prospective students are asked to register their interest by contacting:
Dr Martin Toms
AGMS Programme Manager
School of Education
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston, Birmingham
B15 2TT
Tel: 0121 415 8392
m.r.toms@bham.ac.uk

The partnership between the School of Education and the PGA is an innovative and exciting collaborative venture. It provides the basis for combining aspects of professional and vocational practice with rigorous scholarship. In an increasingly differentiated market-place for sports-related programmes of study, it is ground-breaking. - Dr Martin Toms, Programme Manager
Gary Jackson
Business Skills Development Manager
PGA National Training Academy, PING House
The Belfry
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
B76 9PW
Tel: 01675 470333
gary.jackson@pga.org.uk

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