This month’s cover story, “New Standard of Excellence: The Evolution of PGA Education,” takes a deep dive into one of the most important areas of our profession. PGA Education has one primary goal — to provide lifelong learning around specific career interests that elevate the perception, value propositions and recruitment of PGA of America Golf Professionals. This mission is at the core of everything we do in promoting the PGA Member and growing the game.
The centerpiece of the story is a Q&A with PGA Senior Director of Education and Talent Development Dawes Marlatt. A PGA Master Professional, Dawes shares valuable insight into the evolution of PGA Education and how the Association has streamlined its educational pathways by leveraging digital learning platforms to reduce geographic and logistical barriers. These platforms were designed to meet the learning preferences of today’s young professionals, without sacrificing the quality or depth of instruction.
The PGA Learning Strategy continues to focus on three distinct career paths: Golf Operations, Teaching & Coaching and Executive Management. For our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, your career journey revolves around one or more of these career paths. Thus, we must remain focused on enhancing all aspects of PGA Education, while empowering incoming professionals to specialize and thrive based on their unique strengths. This is key to ensuring the continued growth and long-term health of our profession.
This cover story examines every aspect of the PGA Learning Strategy, including the educational resources available to members. It also highlights how the Applied Work Experience Portfolio has modernized the evaluation process by requiring Associates to demonstrate the real-world application of their learning within their own work environments.
As part of this month’s feature, you will read perspectives from PGA Education Committee Chair Rich Ballinger (Sam Houston State University) and PGM Education Association President Cole Mize (University of Idaho). The story also includes perspectives from current and recent Associates like Caleb Christensen (Executive Management), Addi Mann (Teaching & Coaching) and Brad Bachman (Golf Operations). Their experiences offer a wealth of knowledge for all professionals at every stage of their careers.
As the golf industry continues to experience a historic surge in golf participation, the PGA of America has responded with record-level enrollment in the Association’s education programs with a sophisticated and highly efficient learning model. Today’s PGA Education has evolved into a dynamic, technology-driven ecosystem designed to transform passionate golfers into high-impact business executives and industry innovators. The PGA Learning Strategy is helping to ensure that this influx of new talent is equipped to meet the operational and leadership demands of facilities worldwide.
I want to take this opportunity to salute our PGA Master Professionals, who have earned the highest education designation available. Today, 483 PGA Members have achieved Master Professional status, the culmination of a lifelong commitment to learning and professional excellence. Thank you to all of our PGA Master Professionals for reaching this pinnacle achievement.
I also applaud the more than 1,600 PGA of America Members who have achieved advanced Certification through the Certified Professional Program, and nearly 600 PGA Members who have completed the PGA Specialized Program. Your commitment to continued education strengthens our Association and elevates the profession.
I encourage all PGA Members to take their career journey seriously, commit to enhancing their knowledge and skills, and help drive our game and business to new heights every day. I also want to extend my appreciation to Dawes and the entire PGA Education Team for their hard work in making PGA Education a true epicenter of our profession.
In closing, thank you for all you do to advance our profession and serve the game of golf.
Sincerely,
Nathan Charnes, PGAActing President, PGA of America