The PGA of America Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program is a specialized educational pathway designed to prepare students for careers in the golf industry. This program, offered at select universities across the United States, combines classroom instruction with real-world experience to develop well-rounded golf professionals.
Graduates earn a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Hospitality, or Sports Management) and PGA membership, opening doors to careers in golf course management, instruction, retail and more. Each of the following institutions offers a structured curriculum that includes business courses, golf-specific training and extensive internship experiences:
Campbell University - Buies Creek, NC
Clemson University - Clemson, SC
Coastal Carolina University - Conway, SC
Eastern Kentucky University - Richmond, KY
Ferris State University - Big Rapids, MI
Florida Gulf Coast University - Fort Myers, FL
Methodist University - Fayetteville, NC
Mississippi State University - Starkville, MS
New Mexico State University - Las Cruces, NM
Penn State University - University Park, PA
Sam Houston State University - Huntsville, TX
University of Central Oklahoma - Edmond, OK
University of Colorado Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO
University of Idaho - Moscow, ID
University of Maryland Eastern Shore - Princess Anne, MD
University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV
As PGA of America General Managers, staffing is a vital facet of your daily work. Compiling a team of the very best workers, golf professionals and people is the first step in achieving the many goals you undoubtedly have in revenue, service, membership and business growth. It is important to look to this pool of potential interns and employees for their continued maturation in the industry and the ongoing maintenance of the stellar service you and your existing team seek to provide.
After all, these young men and women have opted into their respective PGM programs for various reasons - to receive a comprehensive golf education, to learn through extensive hands-on experience, to reap valuable networking opportunities, to benefit from career readiness from the start, to study state-of-the-art golf technology and to attain PGA Membership.
You will surely benefit from their industry knowledge and training and their passion for the game. Through their PGM programs, they will make an immediate impact on customer service and teamwork and will bring fresh ideas and energy to your staff. Consider it a three-month interview for possible future employment.
“All 16 PGA-accredited universities share the same goal, producing college-educated PGA Professionals who are ready to contribute to the industry,” says Brock White, the Director of PGA Golf Management at Methodist University. “What sets students apart at PGA-accredited universities is the combination of a structured PGA curriculum, real-world experience and direct mentorship from experienced PGA Professionals. Working directly in partnership with the PGA of America, PGA University students enter internships with a deep understanding of golf operations, an exceptional work ethic and a commitment to service, making them immediate assets to any facility. With a foundation built on education and real-world application, they are prepared to contribute from day one.”
White says that each of the 16 PGA-accredited programs is led by PGA Professionals who have worked in the industry as head professionals, teaching professionals, directors of golf and even owners/operators of major facilities before joining the university programs. They bring firsthand industry knowledge into the classroom, ensuring students are learning best practices that directly translate to success in the field.
“At Methodist, we have alumni back on campus each semester to speak to our students about all facets of the golf industry and share their knowledge, which is just one more nugget of information they can take with them each summer to their internships,” he added.
The PGA PGM Program is an excellent opportunity for aspiring golf professionals to build a strong foundation for their careers. By enrolling in a top-tier university program, students gain technical expertise, business acumen and practical experience that make them highly valuable in the golf industry. They’re learning, practicing and playing on some of the best facilities in the country. In fact, the practice range at Methodist has been named a Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 50 Private Facility on several occasions.
For golf course owners and managers, hiring PGM interns is a strategic move - bringing in trained, motivated and knowledgeable individuals who can enhance daily operations while ensuring the long-term success of the facility. Whether it’s in club management, instruction or golf operations, PGM students are the future leaders of the game.