The ideal pathway to a job in golf

The ideal pathway to a job in golf

AT 23, Rob Foster is giving himself every opportunity to make a successful career in the golf industry after utilising the PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) as a pathway to the PGA Trainee Program.

“The PGA IGI is a great pathway to learn about the golf industry,” said Foster, who completed the one-year PGA IGI’s Diploma of Golf Management qualification and secured a job as a Trainee PGA Professional at Beerwah Golf Club. The program prepared his golf game for his time in the PGA Trainee Program and gave him a greater understanding of the golf industry.

Introduced in 2015, the PGA IGI Golf Management Program now provides a one-year credit into the traditional three-year PGA Trainee Program for successful graduates. Of course, students keen on joining the PGA Trainee Program must meet the entry requirements.

Foster met those requirements and then provided with the skills and best practices to enable him to become job ready as a PGA Trainee Professional.

“I would definitely recommend the PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management to anyone interested in working in the golf industry because it’s the ideal pathway to getting a job in the industry.”

“It’s also well recognised around the world. At PGA IGI, they have highly-trained experts that teach you how to run a golf club, managing staff, how to get more people into the game, hospitality and much more.”

“The people who work at IGI are also very supportive and the networking opportunities are awesome.”

Foster is undecided on whether to pursue a playing career or to transition into the managerial side of the golf industry. The qualifications he can gain allows him flexibility in his future career paths in the golf industry.

“It would be the ultimate dream to play golf professionally, but if that doesn’t happen I’d love to work in the golf industry in operations or at a club overseas. I will see how my playing is going when I finish the Trainee Program. If I am playing well I might try to qualify for the Australian Tour.”

“If not, maybe I’ll look towards a managerial role somewhere. With my finance degree and the skills the PGA IGI have given me I believe this is a possibility.”

If Foster successfully completes his time in the PGA Trainee Program, he will graduate as a Full Vocational Member of PGA of Australia at the end of 2017.

PGA General Manager of Education Geoff Stewart said the PGA IGI’s Diploma of Golf Management qualification continued to be a leader for golf management education within the golf industry.

“For many years we have seen a number of PGA IGI graduates take steps to becoming PGA Professionals through the pathways on offer to eligible students,” he said.

“A number of those graduates have moved into roles of coaching or management within the golf industry throughout Australia and the world. The one-year credit pathway from the PGA IGI into the PGA Trainee Program offers a platform for IGI graduates to develop their skills and knowledge of the golf industry prior to applying for the PGA Trainee Program.”

“Rob is an excellent example of a student who has leveraged the skills and knowledge learnt from their time studying with PGA IGI and applied it to their employment during the PGA Trainee Program.”

“We look forward to seeing many more graduates like Rob utilise the pathways the PGA IGI Golf Management Program offers to successful graduates.”

The PGA IGI delivers the Golf Management Program, incorporating 10459NAT Diploma of Golf Management, at its campus location on the Gold Coast.

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