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Certified Professional Program Shapes PGA Education
An exclusive interview with Roger Warren, President, The PGA of America
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| The PGA Certified Professional Program is leading the way in keeping PGA Professionals on the cutting edge of education and up-to-date on the latest industry trends. It was developed one year ago with the support and input from top employers in the industry.
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| As the PGA of America approaches its 90th Anniversary, President Roger Warren in this exclusive interview with The BoardRoom magazine, discusses how The PGA has led in the development in new education programs for its 28,000 men and women professionals. The concentration is on how the program is helping shape PGA Professionals into highly trained business managers serving the game and employers throughout the golf industry.
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| In this exclusive interview with The BoardRoom, the PGA's president Roger Warren talks about the about the state of the golf industry and the goals of the association and the benefits PGA professional can bring to the private club industry.
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| Warren, acting general manager and director of golf at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Resort, is an accomplished leader who brings a strong background in education and a dedication to growing the game to the office of PGA president.
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| A former high school teacher who coached basketball and golf for 18 years, Warren was elected to PGA membership in 1990. He served as a member of the Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP) faculty for three years. In 1996, he served on the task force that developed CareerLinks, The PGA's job identification service.
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| Warren's golf shop at Seven Bridges Golf Course in Woodridge, Ill., was named one of "America's 100 Best Golf Shops" in 1991, '96, '97, '98 and '99 by Golf Shop Operations magazine. He was named the Illinois PGA Section's Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities in 1992. Warren, who is certified in general management, won the Illinois Section's Bill Strausbaugh Award in 1992, '93, '94, '96 and '97 and was the Illinois Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1998.
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| Warren served the Illinois PGA Section as secretary from 1992-1994, vice president from 1995-1996 and as president from 1997-1998. Nationally, he has served on The PGA's task force on governance.
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| A native of Galesburg, Ill., Warren graduated from Western Illinois University in 1972 with a degree in education. He earned his masters degree in 1981 from Northern Illinois University. From 1973-1986 he worked for the Dundee (Ill.) school system and worked summers at The Village Links of Glen Ellyn. He assumed his present position on April 1, 2003.
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| BoardRoom: Why was the PGA Certified Professional Program developed?
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| Warren: The PGA Certified Professional Program was developed in recognition of the fact that the golf industry is constantly evolving, and our profession needs to evolve with it. Employers have always sought frontline managers that can deliver a great golf experience and generate revenue. The new program produces PGA Professionals equipped to handle and address these needs.
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| In designing the program, The PGA of America enlisted the expertise of leading golf industry employers from multi-facility organizations, resorts, public courses and private clubs across the country. Together, these industry experts became a part of the PGA Employment Council, which analyzed the gaps between PGA Professionals' skills and the requirements of golf industry managers. In addition, they also provided counsel on the program's career path courses.
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| BR: How many PGA Professionals have signed up for the PGA Certified Professional Program to date? Which career paths are the most popular?
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| Warren: This number changes daily. As of late August, 2005, we've had more than 3,400 PGA members start the first two portions of the self-assessment. Of that number, 1,178 PGA members have completed the whole assessment phase.
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| PGA Professionals can become certified in six different career paths - general management, golf operations, instruction, retail, executive management and ownership/leasing. Currently, golf operations, which includes directors of golf, head professionals and assistant professionals, is the largest career path - with about 70 percent of our members classified as such.
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| BR: Do you anticipate employers paying for enrollment?
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| Warren: With a total cost of less than $400, the PGA Certified Professional Program is very affordable. In fact, PGA members can take some or all of the 239 on-line courses offered for $245. Plus, they can take the ProFiciency test as well for a $100 registration fee. While The PGA of America cannot speak for all golf industry employers, the PGA Employer Council has demonstrated a strong commitment to this program and to PGA members that choose to participate.
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| BR: Does the Certified Professional Program replace previous PGA education initiatives?
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| Warren: Yes. PGA Professionals who achieved certification in the former PGA Specialty Certified Program will automatically be awarded "Master Professional" status in the career path that most closely parallels the area in which specialty certification was obtained. Current PGA Master Professionals will also receive recognition in the career path closest to their thesis.
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| BR: How will this voluntary program ensure the industry that PGA members have the latest knowledge and technology?
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| Warren: The PGA Certified Professional Program is based on the core competencies that every PGA member should possess, as well as career-specific competencies for the members' chosen career paths. Members will need to re-certify every five years, so that they can remain up-to-date with the latest industry trends.
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| BR: How much is The PGA of America spending on this member education program?
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| Warren: A sizeable commitment. Since our founding nearly 90 years ago, PGA Professional education and training has been and still remains the hallmark of The PGA of America. The golf industry recognizes the importance of our programs in training the most qualified teaching and business professionals. Investing in our members and in growing the game of golf are top priorities at The PGA. We have spent several years developing this program. During that time, we've sought input from employers and members to ensure that the program we deliver meets the needs of our constituents, while remaining aligned with our association's mission.
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| So, from its developmental stage to the conclusion of this first phase, the association has spent more than $1.5 million in developing the PGA Certified Professional program. The PGA spends more than $8 million annually on education, which is approximately 16 percent of our yearly spending on member programs.
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| BR: What are some of the benefits to PGA Professionals for becoming Certified Professionals?
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| Warren: In addition to remaining on the cutting edge of today's workforce, PGA Certified Professionals are able to use their training as a springboard to further their careers and income potential. Plus, PGA Certified Professionals and PGA Master Professionals are able to leverage the expertise of nine regional PGA career consultants, who work with employers to find the top qualified candidates for available positions throughout the industry. With employers increasingly looking for candidates with the highest level of training and certification, they have come to rely on these PGA career consultants for recommendations. BR
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| To have a PGA career consultant assist you in finding PGA Certified Professionals and PGA Master Professional candidates for openings at your facility, I encourage you to log on to www.pga.com/employment.
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