PGA IGI Graduate Story: Sam Mecham

PGA IGI Graduate Story: Sam Mecham

As an Assistant Store Manager at McDonalds, Sam Mecham was ready for his next step in his career and to follow his passion for golf.

At the age of 24, Sam made the decision to make a career change and enrolled with the PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) undertaking study in the 10459NAT Diploma of Golf Management.

“I really enjoyed my golf and I was ready to turn that passion for the sport in to a career,” said Mecham. “I felt I could take my knowledge as a manager from McDonalds, apply it to my studies with PGA IGI and then take the necessary steps towards a career in golf.”

And Sam has done just that, working near his home town on NSW’s Central Coast at Magenta Shores Golf Club within their Golf Operations Team.

The PGA IGI delivers the 10459NAT Diploma of Golf Management each year through on-campus delivery at the Gold Coast. It is also now delivered through e-Learning, enabling students anywhere in Australia to study the qualification.

The content delivered within 10459NAT Diploma of Golf Management is designed to have students job ready when they graduate. It focuses on the business, management and administration within the golf industry.
“The PGA IGI provided a productive class environment alongside great industry contacts and speakers,” explained Mecham.

“The content delivered in the program consolidated my previous managerial experience with McDonalds and has enabled me to transition this in to the golf club environment.”

“The PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management lead to a number of job interviews within golf and move in to a career in the golf industry”, said Mecham.

Mecham began his career in the golf industry at Roseville Golf Club in Sydney Northern Suburbs. This job position created the platform for his next step.

I was lucky enough to spend two years a Roseville under Steve Rae and Scott Spence as my Operations Managers. I learnt a lot in my time there that I will take with me for the rest of my career” says Sam.

After a period of long commutes from the Central Coast to Sydney each day, Mecham secured his role at Magenta Shores.

“Sam has the ability to form great relationships with the members in a short amount of time and is one of the best staff I’ve had in the Pro Shop. I believe this comes down to his knowledge, friendliness and passion. This promotes a great deal of trust with the members and fellow team members. He is a great ambassador for the PGA IGI Program.” Rob Hurley, Magenta Shores General Manager.

As PGA IGI Senior Manager Christine Straw explains, hearing that graduates are succeeding in their careers after study is of great pleasure to those at the RTO.

“Watching students progress into positions within the golf industry highlights the industry specific content delivered in the Diploma of Golf Management. The experiences and current industry trends provided by our Program Manager’s and guest industry speakers, prepares the students to be job ready upon graduation.”

“Australia’s only Diploma of Golf Management is the ideal pathway towards a career in golf for all individuals with a passion for the sport, no matter what your handicap level is,” continued Straw.

“We look forward to following Sam’s career in the golf industry along with all other PGA IGI graduates.”
The PGA IGI offers multiple intakes a year for new students at its Gold Coast Campus. The 10459NAT Diploma of Golf Management also offers pathways towards the PGA Trainee Program and towards selected Bachelor Degrees with Griffith University.

You can learn more about the PGA IGI and all PGA Education programs at the 2018 PGA Career Information Nights, held around Australia from July 10th to 26th.

For more details on the PGA IGI, visit our website or call (07) 5657 6116.

PGA International Golf Institute
RTO No. 31270; CRICOS No. 02754G