S P E C I A L    F O C U S

The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America is the largest working sports organization in the world, compromised of more than 26,000 dedicated men and women promoting the game of golf to players across the United States. PGA Professionals—who are expert instructors, skilled business people and community leaders— are the backbone of the association. Through numerous programs, PGA Golf Professionals work hard to make golf a better game for players of all ages and skill levels.

The PGA began in 1916, when a group of New York area golf professionals and prominent amateurs attended a luncheon hosted by department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker to discuss forming a national organization that would promote the game of golf and help elevate the vocation of golf professional. The association's first order of business was to establish the following objectives.

• Promote interest in the game of golf • Elevate the standards of the golf professional's vocation • Protect the mutual interest of PGA members • Hold meetings and tournaments for the benefits of the members • Assist deserving unemployed members to obtain positions • Establish a benevolent relief fund for deserving members

Since 1916, the PGA of America has established new standards of excellence by expanding educational opportunities, programs and services for its members. However, the association stands firm and continues to flourish on the principles set down by its founders.

Employment and Educational Services
PGA CareerLinks
Are you searching for a golf professional to lead your golf facility? PGA CareerLinks is the golf industry's hiring solution that can quickly and efficiently identify qualified PGA members who can manage and promote the game of golf. The PGA CareerLinks service is the golf industry's state-of-the-art automated process that matches the employer's criteria to the PGA member database. Resumes of candidates meeting your criteria and indicating an interest in the available position will be forwarded to you from the PGA National Headquarters. Generally, you will receive resumes within 15 to 20 working days from the date of initiating the search. Many first-class facilities have utilized CareerLinks to fill key management positions. Some of these positions include head golf professionals, directors of golf, general managers, and directors of instruction. PGA CareerLinks is a free service. Regional CareerLinks consultants are available to assist you by calling 800.314.2713.

PGA CareerNet
If you are searching for an assistant golf professional to join your management team then PGA CareerNet is your online hiring solution. With the click of a few keys, hundreds of PGA Golf Professional resumes are available for review. Check out PGA CareerNet at PGA.com.

Professional Readiness Orientation Program
In July 1994 The Professional Golfers' Association of America launched the PGA Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP)

26 Illinois Parks and Recreation

FIND A PRO AT PGA.COM

as a new path to PGA membership. This innovative apprentice-training program is designed to prepare qualified men and women for the challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities they will face as PGA Golf Professionals in todays industry and in the decades to come.

In 1998 the American Society of Association Executives awarded the PGA an Award of Excellence in Education for the Golf Professional Training Program and its contents. This program emphasizes the practical application of state-of-the-art skills and knowledge, along with sophisticated work activities and is designed to give apprentices the skills to add value to their golf facilities. When you graduate from the GPTP you will be ready to provide exceptional service to customers, employers, fellow professionals, and the game of golf.

For those individuals aspiring to become PGA Professionals, the GPTP will be the start of a lifelong process of learning new skills, polishing old ones, and becoming even better at dealing with the people, the game, and the business of golf. As a result of your training, the game of golf will continue to grow in popularity and reach a higher level.

What Are the Benefits of a PGA
Professional for Your Facility

• Creates an employee who is more committed and views work as a career

• Qualifies employee to take on more responsibility

• Builds greater customer satisfaction

• Allows employee a greater positive impact on your facilities' bottom line

• Provides greater return on the facilities' investment in the employee •

Information is based on materials of the Professional Golfers Association, provided by Steve Patterson, the PGA Head Golf Professional at the Winnetka Golf Club.

March/April 2001 | 27