PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- With the final requirement to earn PGA Master Professional status completed on October 22, PGA Professional Paul Barone, general manager at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port, Fla., demonstrated the expertise necessary to achieve status as a graduate of the PGA of America's Master Professional Program in General Management.
"The education and training that I received in the PGA Certified Professional Program helped me take the next step in becoming a PGA Master Professional," said Barone. "The golf industry has changed over the past several years and more demands are placed on PGA Professionals.
"The PGA of America has moved to the forefront in providing its members with educational opportunities to stay one step ahead. I am truly honored to be recognized as a PGA Master Professional and proud to be a member of an organization that is dedicated to growing, teaching and managing the game of golf."
Since the program's inception, 323 PGA Professionals have graduated from the PGA Master Professional Program. The program is the highest educational level attained by PGA of America members. It was established in 1969 to recognize PGA members who make a significant effort to improve themselves as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations.
One of the original requirements for earning PGA Master Professional status was the submission of an extensive thesis on one aspect of golf, which was reviewed by a panel of professional experts in the field. The thesis topics ranged from the mental and physical aspects of the golf swing to golf course construction and computer technology in the golf shop.
The PGA Master Professional Program then changed to require members to complete one of seven Specialty Certification courses: Instruction, Rules, General Management, Golf Operations, Tournament Operations, Golf Car Fleet Management or Merchandising. Professionals desiring PGA Master Professional status also had to be active PGA members for a minimum of eight years.
The PGA Master Professional program now originates from the PGA Certified Professional Program. After a PGA member passes the PGA Certified Professional Program ProFiciency Test, he or she is eligible to work toward their "Masters Degree" in education by preparing a special project in their selected career path that meets the approval of examiners. This process is similar to the "Masters Thesis" project previously required to earn PGA Master Professional status. The Master Professional applicant then presents his or her project to a panel of examiners and answers questions on the project.
About The PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
