PGA Certified Professional Program
The PGA Certified Professional Program (CPP) was created in 2004 to offer PGA members personal enrichment in preparation for challenging positions in the golf industry. A Gap Analysis and Competency Report Study were completed in an effort to determine how The PGA of America could help its members prepare themselves and obtain the skills required in the marketplace. These important studies identified those skills resulting in The PGA’s highest quality educational platform available in an online environment.
The CPP identified six (6) specific career paths in which PGA Professionals are employed. This program quantifies and measures job requirements and provides an interactive environment from which to develop core and career-specific competencies to meet those requirements.
ALL Seminars will be FREE of Charge for PGA Professionals and Non-PGA Members
The six Career Paths are:
- Golf Operations – oversight of responsibilities for golf management and activities to include player development, tournament management, tee reservation services, merchandising, professional shop services, golf car fleet management, Rules interpretations and oversight of golf course maintenance.
Topics include: Why You Must Have a World Class Web Site and Build All of Your Marketing Around it!, Growing Your Business through Social Media
Get Golf Ready / Play Golf America...and more…
- Instruction – specialization in teaching the game and managing the business side of golf instruction
Topics include: Know Your Market and Specialize Within It, Physical Motion Evaluation, FUN and Skill Development for Junior Player…and more
- General Management - oversight and management of the entire facility
Topics include: How to Dramatically Increase New Membership Sales, Golf Course Slip, Trip and Fall Management, Best Practices - General Management -- Things You Should Know...and more
- Retail – management of merchandising for green-grass golf shops and off-course retail shops to include purchasing, inventory control, marketing and promotions and displays & modeling
Topics include: AGM Retail Seminars, Offer Free Guest Days to Increase Revenue...and more
- Executive Management – administration of a golf association to include membership service & benefits, philanthropy and fulfillment of the association’s mission statement in the game of golf
- Ownership/Leasing – development & financing of golf facilities & all aspects of ownership & leasing
Continuing Education
A primary goal of participation in PGA of America Continuing Education is to promote professional development and help PGA Members become well-rounded individuals who are committed to the traditional values of golf which are teaching, playing and promoting the game. Continuing education and participation in Section and Chapter activities are a vital part of the process. “Career specific education” directly relates to an individual’s employment position or Career Path as identified in The PGA Certified Professional Program.
In addition to the six (6) Career Paths for the CPP an addition category – Personal Enrichment – has been created that will include retirement planning, credit basics, money management basics, apprentice mentoring and employment consultancy.
- Topics include: Government Relations and Issues, Talent Management – How Your PGA Team Supports You, Retirement and Investment Planning…and more
To assist PGA Professionals manage the vibrant schedule of Continuing Education offerings throughout the year The PGA of America sorts program offerings by Career Path. The 2010-11 schedule of PGA Education Programs will extend the sorting feature of the Online Library to The PGA Education Conferences held in conjunction with the 2010 PGA Fall Expo and the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show. The benefits to expo attendees include:
- Assist with scheduling your daily activities
- Identify “career specific education” programs that most directly benefit your job responsibilities
- Avoid “overlap” of “career specific education” programs at any one time slot
- Identify free time to attend programs outside the realm of your specific job responsibilities that are “cutting edge” topics you just have to learn about.