Forty graduates, representing 17 states, comprised the latest class to advance through The PGA Professional Golf Management Program. The graduates were honored in ceremonies conducted Sept. 23, at The PGA Country Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The PGA Professional Golf Management Program, which originated in 1996, has produced 7,234 graduates. Of that total, the PGA Education Center in Port St. Lucie has produced graduates since 2002 representing 48 states, Canada, the District of Columbia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Puerto Rico, The Netherlands and the Virgin Islands.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

The class of Sept. 23:

1. Benjamin D. Bell - Buckhead, Ga.
2. Thomas J. Berg - Shoreline, Wash.
3. Darren J. Black - Portland, Ore.
4. Derek C. Butts - Jupiter, Fla.
5. Matthew J. Challenor - Vero Beach, Fla.
6. Steven Fitzharris - Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
7. Brady G. Foore - Fairport, N.Y.
8. Alexander W. Forsyth - Davenport, Fla.
9. Steve K. Gard - Cape Coral, Fla.
10. Thomas K. Gregory - Charleston, S.C.
11. Noelle K. Hamilton - Palm Desert, Calif.
12. Jarrott W. Hampton - Granbury, Texas
13. Sean M. Hanna - Naples, Fla.
14. Francis E. Harper - Scottsdale, Ariz.
15. Ryan P. Hosford - Orlando, Fla.
16. Eric M. Jones - Orinda, Calif.
17. Marc-Andre Lapointe - Fort Mill, S.C.
18. Miles L. Loughlin - Roanoke, Va.
19. Kevin L. Lovell - New Albany, Ohio
20. Kyle J. Miller - Terre Haute, Ind.
21. William B. Morgan - Laurinburg, N.C.
22. Jared E. Morton - Athens, Ga.
23. Peter M. Norwood - Fort Worth, Texas
24. Randall P. Raimondi Jr. - West Palm Beach, Fla.
25. Darren P. Reilly - Charlotte, N.C.
26. Phil Ring - Grand Forks, N.D.
27. Scott W. Schulte - Harrison Township, Mich.
28. Adam J. Schwartz - Washington, Utah
29. Drew M. Scott - Naples, Fla.
30. Scott P. Sheffield - Pompano Beach, Fla.
31. John R. Stephenson - Columbus, Ga.
32. Jeremy B. Story - Dunwoody, Ga.
33. Michael J. Thomas - Beallsville, Md.
34. William S. Van Engelen - Scottsdale, Ariz.
35. Brian J. Wackerly - Andover, Kan.
36. Garret D. Walker - Overland Park, Kan.
37. Jay S. Watson - Mansfield, Texas
38. Steven K. Watt - Cave Creek, Ariz.
39. Jeffrey R. Webster - Raleigh, N.C.
40. Nick A. Zaloga - Leesburg, Va.