What to Expect from a Golf Management Program
By Patrick Ronayne, Professor at the College of Golf at Keiser University, PGA Professional
In this ever-changing professional landscape, it is even more important to find pathways that align with your personal interests and passions. They say that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, and that is one of the major benefits of pursuing a degree in Golf Management. The game of golf is one that elicits strong emotions in individuals: the memory of the first time someone made a par. Watching the back 9 on Masters Sunday with your family. Or perhaps the first time you broke 80. The game of golf is woven into the very fabric of an individual who has played the game or been around it. It teaches integrity, patience, and sportsmanship. It also contributes billions of dollars to the economy each year. This is where the College of Golf management program comes in.
During your time at Keiser University, you will receive the foundation that you will build on in your career. Students will learn about every facet of the game and the business. From merchandising to club operations, tournament management, swing fundamentals, and even course design. Each student will walk out having been exposed to a wide breadth of knowledge forged through decades of practical experience.
Why is this important?
Many of our students come to this university having played or consumed the game, solely from a customer standpoint. But what the average customer does not know is what goes into each tee time that is booked, or what goes into every club that you find at your local pro-shop or retail shop. The business of golf is a fluid and dynamic space that evolves with the world. Technological advances driven by AI-powered data analysis are changing how courses and companies run their daily operations. Individuals will need an open mind and a willingness to adapt to this ever-changing landscape. The ability to do so will be based on strong fundamental knowledge of the industry that will be taught through the College of Golf Management program. The unique and transferable skills developed throughout the curriculum can be applied across many career paths you may choose to pursue.
Resources and Experience
One thing that will resonate with students is the faculty. Being a member of the PGA of America or the LPGA is inherently about mentorship at its core. Whether on the course or in the classroom, part of being a Golf Professional is passing down knowledge and hard-earned lessons from successes and failures to the next generation of professionals. Each member of the staff will have decades of experience covering every aspect of the industry. They will not only teach you the curriculum but also give you practical applications of the knowledge through real-world scenarios they have lived through. Part of growing as a professional in any field is figuring out what you do not know and then knowing who to ask to find out. Having access to this level of professionals in the field during your program and post-graduation is tremendously valuable.
Unparalleled Golf Experience
One thing that will set the Golf Management program apart from other career-driven educational programs is access to golf! We have four indoor simulators/swing analysis bays, a putting lab, an outdoor driving range for full swing, a short game area with bunkers for any shot inside 100 yards, a putting green, and PGA Professionals that you have unlimited access to for instruction. Whether you are planning to earn a Class “A” membership with the PGA or LPGA or simply want to work in one of the related segments, being able to play will be beneficial. Most businesses have team-building retreats or have charitable endeavors they support. A common theme for these may be golf tournaments. So even in the world of finance or sales, if you can play the game at a decent level, it opens your networking and business opportunities exponentially, both internally and externally.
Career Opportunities
It is important to understand that when you make an investment in your education, you are doing so to enrich your life. Career advancement is certainly part of that equation. Post-graduation, Keiser alumni will enter a job market looking for trained talent. Some roles that may become available post-grad, with field experience, include head golf professional, director of golf operations, tournament coordinator, club manager, performance coach, or marketing specialist at resorts, private clubs, municipalities, or manufacturers.
While in school, we recommend working part-time at a facility to accelerate the learning curve and practical application of the knowledge learned in class. These opportunities can set you up for a post-graduation transition into your career path. It will also offer opportunities to meet vendor representatives, golf professionals from other facilities, and members/customers at your workplace. Every opportunity to meet successful people and speak with them is an opportunity to impress a potential partner or employer down the road.
As with any endeavor in your life, ultimately it comes down to what you put into it. Applying what you learn in the real world, both professionally and from a playing standpoint, is the goal for everyone who walks through our doors or logs in to our online classrooms. As faculty members, we want to share our experiences and knowledge to instill a passion and drive for success in each student. The game has given us a lifetime of memories and opportunities that have enriched our lives. We hope it helps you discover your own path and potential.
