With 149 PGA Members now holding the roles of General Manager or Golf Operations Manager across Australia, PGA Members are now successfully combining their overall knowledge and passion for the sport and industry of golf with their extensive management skills.

With an unsurpassed understanding of golf, PGA Members are discovering that they have the ideal foundation on which to build applicable knowledge and skills in areas such as finance, budgeting, strategic planning, personnel management, hospitality and a range of other suitable fields.

In preparation for the demand for PGA Members in a wider variety of roles, in 2018 the PGA added a Certificate IV in Small Business Management to the standard PGA Trainee Program, thereby complementing the existing qualifications in the program relating to sports industry knowledge and coaching. PGA Members now graduate from the program with three nationally recognised qualifications: Certificate III in Sport, Certificate IV Small Business Management and Diploma of Sport Coaching.

In addition, via the PGA’s International Golf Institute, the PGA also offers PGA Members the opportunity to complete Australia’s only Diploma of Golf Management or an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management.  In combination, the two qualifications provide a total of over 30 training and assessment modules in relevant golf management and administration topics.

With 23 PGA Members currently enrolled in the Diploma program and 15 PGA Members currently enrolled in the Advanced Diploma, a significant number of PGA Professionals are well placed to take advantage of the industry’s requirement for individuals who combine a passion and knowledge for the sport of golf with formal management competencies and qualifications.

“The overall combination of three years of workplace experience, three formal qualifications and additional training and education via management-oriented qualifications places PGA Members in an excellent position from an employability perspective, in addition to providing the Australian golf industry with a solid foundation for future growth”, said PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman in response to the trend of PGA Members transitioning to management roles.

“PGA Members bring a range of industry leading programs and resources to golf clubs and facilities, thereby positively impacting members, golfers and the bottom line," added Kirkman.

“PGA Members bring a range of leadership, management and business skills to the overall administration of facilities and the recent increase in PGA Members being employed in management roles validates the PGA’s long-term strategy of preparing our Members for all applicable roles in the golf industry, including management," said PGA General Manager – Membership and Education, Geoff Stewart.