PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -The PGA of America announced 18 more PGA Professionals have completed the PGA Certified Professional Program and achieved Certified status. These PGA members join the ranks of the industry leaders who obtained certification since August 2004, proving that they have the skills needed to grow the game of golf.
"I became a Certified PGA Professional to help foster my career advancement," said Timothy Underwood, head PGA Professional at Hodge Park Golf Course in Kansas City, Mo. Underwood passed the Proficiency Test in June and became certified in General Management. The PGA PGM graduate from Ferris State University also plans to become certified in Golf Operations. "The more knowledge you learn, the more prepared you are for the future. The courses that dealt with customer service caught my attention, and I have implemented some of those ideas into my current operation."
The PGA Certified Professional Program is an online, career-enhancing educational curriculum that supports the goals of PGA Professionals who are committed to continuously enhancing their golf management skills, in order to stay ahead of the increasing demands of the industry. The online distance learning approach ensures broad access to the Program, while reducing the time and travel costs associated with traditional classes.
The Program enables PGA Professionals to participate in a five-step curriculum program, as they achieve certification in their choice of six career paths: General Management, Golf Operations, Instruction, Retail, Executive Management and Ownership/Leasing. PGA Professionals can also obtain certification in multiple areas of concentration. The most popular career paths are Golf Operations and General Management. In addition, the classes with the highest enrollment across all career paths are Accounting, Business Planning and Budgeting, Turfgrass Management and Customer Relations.
Currently, there are more than 3,500 PGA Professionals who have begun the process of obtaining certification.
"Early adoption of the PGA Certified Professional Program has been favorable, and as we come upon the one-year anniversary [in August 2005] of the launch of the program, employers will really see the value of this new Certified designation," said Roger Warren, president of The PGA of America. "From traditional golf careers to the non-traditional jobs at off-course retail shops, the PGA Certified Professional Program appeals to all PGA Professionals and their employers."
The following list includes the names and affiliations of the 18 PGA Members who most recently obtained PGA Certified Professional status.
Executive Management
Patrick M. Zak; Junior Golf Foundation of Greater Kansas City (Mo.)
General Management
Douglas M. Cook; Flatirons Golf Course, Boulder, Colo.
Kirk R. Mease; Wellshire Golf Course, Denver
Daniel N. Rainbow; University Ridge Golf Course, Oregon, Wis.
Bradley M. Rekstad; Ridgeview Country Club, Blaine, Minn.
Timothy M. Underwood; Hodge Park Golf Course, Kansas City, Mo.
Golf Operations
J. Matthew O'Keefe; Lindsey Golf Course, Fort Knox, Ky.*
Mike A. Pickett; Beechmont Country Club, Stow, Ohio
Michael J. Raber; Townsend Ridge Country Club, Methuen, Mass.
Jason N. Schuman; Orange County National Golf Course, Orlando, Fla.
Richard E. Smith; Stonehenge Golf and Country Club, Richmond, Va.
David B. Stead; Alta Mesa (Ariz.) Country Club
Patrick J. Stein; Wilderness Wood Golf Club, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Tommy R. Thomas; Callawassie Island Club, Bluffton, S.C.
Instruction
Bob McGraw; New Seabury Cape Cod, Osterville, Mass.
Michael D. Rostollan; Tour Fairways Golf Range, Walla Walla, Wash.
Retail
Patrick O'Leary; Dick's Sporting Goods, Williamsville, N.Y.
James D. Scott; Dick's Sporting Goods, Greensboro, N.C.
* J. Matthew O'Keefe adds Golf Operations certification to his certification in Instruction, which he achieved in May 2005.
About The PGA of America
The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf. For more information on the Certified Professional Program, please visit www.pga.com/employment.
