PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky., will present The PGA of America's Professional Golf Management Program (PGA PGM) this fall, offering a curriculum that provides a combination of golf and business-related subjects for aspiring members of the golf industry. With the addition of Eastern Kentucky University, 18 colleges and universities now offer the PGM program.

"The PGA's education program and what we have to offer at Eastern Kentucky University is a good fit," said Kim Kincer, Eastern Kentucky University's PGM director. "The school, faculty and staff at the University, along with the city of Richmond, are excited about bringing the PGM program here."

The PGA PGM program gives students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the golf industry, through extensive classroom studies, internship experience and player development. Students enrolled in the PGM Program at Eastern Kentucky will graduate from the College of Business and Technology with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing with PGM Certification. After graduation, students are eligible for PGA membership upon appropriate employment in the golf industry.

"It is The PGA's goal to grow the PGM program," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "With the addition of Eastern Kentucky University, we step closer to accomplishing our mission. Eastern Kentucky is not only the first PGM program in the state of Kentucky, it is the first to have a woman leading the program as director."

Kincer was hired by Eastern Kentucky University during the summer of 2005 to serve as the director of PGA PGM program. As a result, she became the PGM program's first female director. Kincer most recently worked for nine years as an associate PGM director and golf coach at Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C.

In addition to hiring Kincer, Eastern Kentucky University officials hired Eddy Renio as the PGM Program intern coordinator and named the university's Arlington Golf Course the home course for the PGM program.

The 17 other colleges and universities that include the PGA/PGMTM program in their curriculum are: Arizona State University in Mesa; Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.; Clemson (S.C.) University; Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C.; Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.; Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers; Florida State University in Tallahassee; Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C.; Mississippi State University in Starkville; New Mexico State University in Las Cruces; North Carolina State University in Raleigh; Penn State University in State College; Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas; University of Colorado-Colorado Springs; University of Idaho in Moscow; University of Nebraska in Lincoln; and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and 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.