The groundbreaking moment of professional golf is set to take place next week as the first university-certified professional caddy accreditation program will debut at North Carolina State University’s Ronnie Pool Golf Course.
The groundbreaking initiative, which will be held from February 16th to 22nd, will be supported by Tour Professional Tour Caddies (APTC) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), with the support of Tour Caddy Collective and NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education is organized by. .
Designed to take professional caddies to new heights, the program establishes the gold standard for entry-level caddies looking for a career at tournaments, country clubs and resort levels.
Participants will receive elite instruction in essential fields such as rules, statistics, psychology, physical therapy, advanced course management, green reading, and the latest golf technology.
Industry-first, participants will gain hands-on experience working with the NC State golf team, allowing them to apply their skills in real-world course scenarios, a valuable component of the program.
World-Class Instructors Lineup:
Todd Sutterfield – Has hosted the official USGA & PGA Tour Rules, Masters, US Open and other top championships Austin Powell – PGA Tour Statistician Josh Nichols – Golf/Sports Psychologist Justin Blazer – Aim Points and Green Reading Experts at Digby Watt, MPT, MTC, CSCS, CGFI – Tour Physiotherapists Grantberry, Mike Hicks, Heathholt – Veteran Tour Caddy with multiple majors, Ryder Cup, Presidential Cup, Championship Credentials
Participants will receive specialized training in Aimpoint, Green-Reading, GC Quad and Trackman Systems, courses and player management strategies, as well as CPR training, and equipped with the tools they need to succeed at the highest level of the game. I will.
“The program is a game changer for professional caddies,” said Grant Berry, principal of the Tour Caddy Collective and professional golf caddy for over 40 years. “By combining professional-led instruction and university accreditation and on-course training with the NCSU golf team, we set new industry benchmarks for caddy education and career development.”
“Alumni of this program are ready to enter the tournament stage with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive at the highest level.”
Hicks is best known for caddying Payne Stewart to the iconic US open victory in 1999, and he sees the program as a way to boost the profession for future generations.
As a university-certified professional caddy program, the initiative raises standards for caddy education and formalizes the direct path to professional golf.
“The program represents a major step forward in the workforce development of the golf industry,” said Dan Gerger, director of continuity and professional education at NC State University. “We are proud to be able to create a program that opens new doors for those who want to shape the future of professional caddies and establish a career in golf.”
For more information and program details, see our Professional Caddy Certification Program | Continuous and Lifelong Education
