Story by: David Newbery - Inside Golf Magazine

DAVID Rosenthal doesn’t mind admitting he’s not much of a golfer, but that hasn’t stopped him pursuing a career in the golf industry.

Earlier this year, Rosenthal, who plays off a 23 handicap, quit his high-powered sales job and signed up to do the PGA International Golf Institute Diploma of Golf Management. At 33, Rosenthal is considered somewhat of a PGA IGI late-starter, but that doesn’t faze him one little bit. The married father of two is more than comfortable mixing with the younger students despite not being able to challenge them on the golf course. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing because many of the younger group of students have adopted him as a “big brother” figure. “When it comes to golf the younger guys have got the wood over me, but I just sit back and enjoy watching the young up-and-coming guys and girls play the game the way it should be played,” Rosenthal said. “I have found the academic side of the PGA IGI course a lot easier due to the fact I have got a lot of life skills and experience. “I have brought a lot of what I have dealt with in my career to the course and utilised those skills and experience. “I am enjoying the course immensely – the staff are great and always very approachable. “I think it’s easier to communicate with people who are lecturing you when they are of a similar age.”

Rosenthal, who completed a degree in Sports Management at Griffith University in 2000, said he would recommend the PGA IGI course to anyone wanting a career in the golf industry, including mature age people interested in switching careers. “The PGA IGI course is definitely something you should do if you want a career in the golf industry. “Just because you are not a great golfer doesn’t mean you can’t work in the golf industry. “The avenue is there to take and it’s something I wasn’t aware of until recently. “I definitely came into the course wanting to see what was out there and what avenues I could take. “I have a passion for golf and I am greatly interested in going into the management side of the golf industry. “I am also interested in event management and marketing. “I’m old enough to understand that if you are a manager you have got to know what you are managing otherwise people don’t respect you.”

Rosenthal said a successful sales and marketing career had enabled him to take a year off to complete the diploma. “My wife, who is on maternity leave, and I have chosen to take this as a year of personal development, which is a good way of doing it,” he said. “We have a lot going on in our little family unit, but it has given us the opportunity to provide a lot of time to it. “Our careers and work has been successful so we were able to set ourselves up for this year. “We are lucky in that respect and I think it will pay dividends in the future. “As a mature age student I want to get back into the workforce as soon as possible and I’m willing to drive myself towards it.”

Rotenthal, who lives in Brisbane but barracks for the St George Illawarra NRL team, said he would discuss a possible future career path with the PGA when he completes his diploma later this year. “I also have an interest in Troon Golf and will approach them to see if there are some avenues there,” he said. PGA IGI students graduate with Australia’s only Diploma of Golf Management from PGA IGI and a Bachelor of Business degree majoring in Sports Management from Griffith University. For more information about the PGA International Golf Institute programs and how they are delivered, telephone (07) 5657 6116.