PGA offers revamped routes in search of new members

The PGA’s new student intake campaign – #PGADraft2023 – is on the hunt for the next generation of PGA members.

The PGA Training Programme offers three routes to membership and is designed to provide opportunities for a career in golf.

Whether that be as a traditional club professional or coach, or a role in golf operations or management, the initiative showcases several possible career options.

By giving people the chance to graduate with a PGA qualification, the #PGADraft2023 campaign aims to inspire a new cast of members.

Graduates have gone on to work in a wide variety of roles within the golf industry, and the campaign intends to prolong its success.

The deadline for applications to start the course for the 2023/24 academic year is August 31, 2023.

Three options are currently available to people interested in pursuing a career in the game.

A Foundation Degree in Golf Studies, a Diploma in Higher Education Golf Studies, and a BSc in Applied Golf Management Studies (AGMS) are open across the UK.

Case studies and information about the courses can be found on the campaign’s revamped website, which also features stories from current PGA members.

A brochure is also available to detail everything potential students and their parents need to know about pursuing PGA membership for the next academic year.

Dr Paul Wiseman, PGA Executive Director – Education, said: “We have got the best education programme not just in golf globally, but in sport globally.

“This programme is completely unique; there is no other programme around like this that demands so many different skills and knowledge.”

“One of the most exciting things about The PGA Training Programme is the universality of it. We’ve got trainees from tens of different countries globally.

“When our trainees come on the residentials, they’re mixing with people who work in the golf industry across the world where the PGA trademark is alive.”

More than 200 graduates were officially welcomed into PGA Membership at the University of Birmingham at this year’s PGA Graduation Ceremony in May.

Simon Hubbard, a PGA Professional and Head of The PGA Training Programme, added: “The opportunities once people come through the programme and become a PGA Member are huge and the variety is enormous.

“Some of the roles that our graduates have gone on to once they become a PGA Member could include the typical roles you would expect of being a club professional or coach.

“But we have people go into club management, we have people who become tournament referees, we have people who work at some of the major brands, perhaps on the custom fitting side of things, so the variety and the opportunities that are available for graduates is huge.”

A brochure explaining everything about the course and how to apply can be found here.

To find out more about the #PGADraft2023, click here.