The PGA has announced that six members have been awarded new titles within one of the membership categories: PGA Professional, PGA Coach or PGA Manager.
The following PGA Members received awards in the following categories:
Professional colleagues
Mark Norton – Northamptonshire County Golf Club
Gordon Goldie – Chingford Golf Range Limited
Darren Webster Clark – Zen Green Stage
Coaching Fellow
Bobby King – Cistercian College Golf Academy
Greg Roustan – Swingfit Academy
Senior Coach
Senor Bay – Gloria Golf Resort
“Congratulations to the six PGA members who have earned their new titles through their dedication and significant impact on the industry,” said Tristan Crews, PGA Executive Director of Membership.
“PGA Excel is proud to recognise these achievements and is pleased that more members are beginning to apply for PGA Excel and we look forward to welcoming more members as they embark on the Excel journey.”
“I strongly encourage facilities to actively support their PGA Members in achieving PGA Excel, as doing so not only enhances the professional growth of their team, but it enriches the overall experience for all who visit and enjoy our golf courses. By investing in PGA Excel, PGA Members and facilities are furthering golfing excellence and ensuring a more enriching experience for golfers around the world.”
PGA Fellow Coach Bobby King explained what achieving this new status means for those who teach golf. King said, “Once you qualify as a golf professional and start giving lessons, you can’t just assume that everyone is going to come to you for instruction. You have to provide value. As a PGA Fellow Coach, I think that now makes me stand out and a little more desirable than other coaches.”
“If I want to continue to improve, continue to work with the guys that I work with and other guys that might come to me, and bring them all to a higher standard, then I need to hold myself to a higher standard.”
Various membership ranks and titles are awarded through PGA Excel and PGA members can use these bands and accompanying logos for marketing, promotion and to differentiate themselves from other PGA members. The titles Advanced, Fellow, Advanced Fellow and Master apply to all three membership specialties: PGA Professional, PGA Coach and PGA Manager.
PGA Member applications are evaluated in four key areas related to expertise, business management, golf growth and development and professional representation.
Submitted scores are graded by a group of professional scorers and moderators to ensure accuracy, consistency and quality assurance. Finally, the scores are approved by the PGA Board before individuals are awarded scores.