The Professional golfing world has become a very complex and competitive service and promotion industry. Both the club and tournament professional are required to possess many skills, apart from being elite golfers, to meet the demands in the business of golf. Currently in Australia there are two ways in which golfers may qualify to become golf professionals: * The PGA Trainee Professional Scheme * The PGA Tour of Australasia Tournament Qualifying School * The ALPG (Australian Ladies Professional Golf) Tournament eligibility criteria By becoming a member of the Professional Golfers Association through the Trainee Scheme, an individual has the opportunity to both play at the professional level and enter a career in the golf industry as a qualified teacher, merchandiser and club technologies and fitting specialist. THE PGA TRAINEE PROFESSIONAL SCHEME Administered by the PGA Academy of Golf, this scheme is a three (3) year minimum full time program. It is available to any young golfers (male or female) who wish to become golf professionals. They must meet the demanding eligibility requirements set by the PGA Academy. During the three years of training, which are spent with a fully qualified PGA member at a recognised golf course, trainees gain invaluable on-the-job training and experience. At the same time they complete a series of coach education and training courses. These courses vary from distance education to intensive live-in training schools. The subject of Retail and Business Management is delivered by the PGA IGI through both distance education and live-in schools. During the course trainees are required to maintain a high level of performance in tournament golf. Upon graduation from the traineeship, PGA Australia Full Members (Vocational) are eligible to become tournament and/or club professionals, and carry a Level 3 Coaching Accreditation with the Australian Sports Commission. Only full PGA members are able to hold this level of accreditation. Graduates are also awarded a Diploma of Coaching (Professional Golf) by way of the Australian Qualification Framework. The PGA is registered as a Registered Training Organisation and offers nationally recognised training. ACADEMIC STRUCTURE AND COURSE CONTENT By graduation the trainee will have gained a high level of competence in the following subjects undertaken throughout the training period: COACHING This subject is designed to give the trainee a background in human anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Such study provides a solid foundation for understanding the areas of swing analysis and motion. Areas such as learning styles and coaching structures are explored enabling the trainee to teach and coach golf to clients of all ability levels from juniors, to elite players, seniors and other groups CLUB CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN AND REPAIR Equipment repair and manufacture have always comprised a vital part of the professional s livelihood. This subject examines equipment repair, construction techniques and future directions in the ever expanding area of golf equipment, accessories and technologies. RETAIL and BUSINESS MANAGEMENT The PGA Academy, in association with Griffith University, presents modern business principles as they apply to the golf professional. The areas of merchandising, account keeping, financing, human resource management and law are examined. Upon completing this topic, the trainee is better equipped to enter the area of Golf Shop Operations in the golfing industry. RULES, ETHICS AND TOURNAMENTS Study of this subject gives the trainee an essential grounding in The Rules of Golf, career paths and the ever-challenging area of junior golf development. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A PGA TRAINEESHIP To be eligible to be accepted as a trainee member for entry into the Academy, an applicant shall meet the following requirements: * Be at least eighteen (18) years of age during the calendar year of application. * Have attained minimum of Year 12 and a standard of education acceptable to the Academy. (It is preferable that applicants have attained HSC/VCE level or equivalent). * Produce and demonstrate accurate evidence of playing ability. Male applicants shall have an official amateur handicap of three (3) or better and/or demonstrate their playing ability through a playing test conducted by the respective Divisional Office. * Female applicants shall have an official amateur handicap of five (5) or better and/or demonstrate their playing ability through a playing test conducted by the respective Divisional Office. * Attend an interview with representatives of the Academy. Applicants may be required to produce documents in support of their applications. * The applicant will be informed by the Divisional Office within fourteen (14) days of the outcome of the interview and playing test. * Applicants with qualifications in relevant areas of study from institutions of Higher Education are invited to apply for advanced standing in areas of the academic component of the trainee programme. Academic transcripts will be required to be forwarded with all such applications. TOURNAMENT PLAY Tournament play is an integral component of the trainee program. Many opportunities exist for playing – ranging from local events to the international stage. Throughout the traineeship, trainees are required to maintain a standard of play that is representative of a professional golfer. Students graduating from the program must have maintained a played average better than 4.00 against par with no CCR adjustment after 40 rounds of tournament golf. Playing opportunities for trainees include: * Weekly PGA trainee events * Entry to Pro-Am events (subject to availability) * PGA State Trainee Championships * PGA National Futures Championship * Other state and national events (subject to invitation) The PGA Academy is a recognised training organisation and offers nationally recognised training. Students graduate with a Diploma of Sport Coaching (Professional Golf). APPLICATION DETAILS Applications are available from the state offices. All applications for the assessment day must be received at the state office between 1st July and 31st August each year. Applications received outside these dates will no longer be considered. Copies of references from two PGA members, academic transcripts and a twelve month playing statement from the applicant s home club must accompany the application. All enquires should be made to the PGA Head Office or to the various state PGA offices (see our contacts page) HOW DO YOU QUALIFY TO BECOME A PGA TRAINEE MEMBER Each year all states conduct a similar interview and playing test for all prospective trainees. The aptitude and assessment day and playing test are conducted prior to December in all states. Once they have satisfied Academy representatives that they are eligible, future trainees will be invited to register with the PGA Academy of Golf by no later than 1st January of each year. LOSS OF AMATEUR STATUS Upon registration of an employment contract with the PGA Academy, trainees automatically forfeit their amateur status. This means that failure in the trainee scheme will leave players in a state of limbo, that is, neither an amateur nor a professional golfer. TRAINEE EDUCATION FEES As a non-profit making association, the PGA must charge annual education fees to defray some of the administration costs involved in the traineeship. The fees are set and reviewed by the PGA Board on an annual basis. PGA INTERNATIONAL GOLF INSTITUTE The PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) is a centre of excellence for training and education across the wide range of vocations that comprise the golf industry. The PGA IGI exists to develop career pathways and opportunities for students, elite athletes, coaches and administrators in the golf industry and related business sectors. Located on the Gold Coast and utilising Griffith University&aposs campuses and designated golf facilities, the PGA IGI is a unique entity in Australasia. The PGA IGI delivers a distinctive range of world class education services catered to both the domestic and international golf industry. For more information please visit www.pgaigi.com THE PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA TOURNAMENT QUALIFYING SCHOOL Each year PGA Tour of Australasia (a Division of the PGA) conducts a qualifying school for golfers wishing to qualify solely as tournament players. The school is purely a playing test, usually over nine (9) rounds of golf across 2 stages, to determine who will be issued a players card. Once golfers have qualified for a players card, they are then able to enter professional tournaments within Australia, New Zealand and Asia. A PGA Tournament Players Card does not entitle a tournament player to become a full member (Vocational) of PGA Australia. If any tournament players wish to do this, they must satisfy all PGA Academy of Golf requirements through a process known as PGA Bridging School. Entry into the school is subject to a player maintaining playing standards as established by the respective boards of PGA Australia and PGA Tour. For further information please ring the PGA Tour Office 02 9956 0000 or their website www.pgatour.com.au or the PGA Academy of Golf. Loss of Amateur Status if attending Qualifying School Amateur golfers may enter and play any in any stage of a PGA Tour Qualifying School tournament without forfeiture of amateur status, provided in advance and in writing they waive the right to any prize money on offer. This is done by signing the waiver condition on the Qualifying School entry form. Amateur golfers who fail to do so are in breach of the rules of Amateur Status. Otherwise, the breach occurs when having qualified, they accept an offer of, or apply for, PGA membership. Reinstatement to Amateur Status can be applied for via the State Golf Association. A period awaiting reinstatement of between 3 and 24 months can apply, depending on the circumstances. Related Links : http://www.pga.org.au/?s=pgaacademycareer PGA Trainee Professional Scheme Currently in Australia there are two ways in which golfers may qualify to become golf professionals: * By completing a three-year apprenticeship through The PGA Trainee Professional Scheme * Earning playing rights for events in Australia through the PGA Tour of Australasia Tournament Qualifying School By becoming a member of the Professional Golfers Association through the Trainee Scheme, an individual has the opportunity to both play at the professional level and enter a career in the golf industry as a qualified teacher, merchandiser and club repair specialist. THE PGA TRAINEE PROFESSIONAL SCHEME Administered by the PGA Academy of Golf, this scheme is a three (3) year minimum full time program. It is available to any young golfers (male or female) who wish to become golf professionals. They must meet the demanding eligibility requirements set by the PGA Academy. During the three years of training, which are spent with a fully qualified PGA member at a recognised golf course, trainees gain invaluable on-the-job training and experience. At the same time they complete a series of coach education and training courses. These courses vary from distance education to intensive live-in training schools. The subject of Business Management is delivered by the PGA IGI through both distance education and live-in schools. During the course trainees are required to maintain a high level of performance in tournament golf. Upon graduation from the traineeship, PGA Australia Full Members are eligible to become tournament and/or club professionals, and carry a Level 3 Coaching Accreditation with the Australian Sports Commission. Only full PGA members are able to hold this level of accreditation. From 2004 Graduates will be awarded a Diploma of Coaching (Professional Golf) by way of the Australian Qualification Framework. The PGA is registered as a Registered Training Organisation and offers nationally recognised training. ACADEMIC STRUCTURE AND COURSE CONTENT By graduation the trainee will have gained a high level of competence in the following subjects undertaken throughout the training period: GOLF SCIENCE This subject is designed to give the trainee a background in human anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Such study provides a solid foundation for understanding the areas of swing analysis and motion. CLUB CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN AND REPAIR Equipment repair and manufacture have always comprised a vital part of the professional s livelihood. This subject examines equipment repair, construction techniques and future directions in the ever expanding area of golf equipment, accessories and technologies. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT The PGA Academy, in association with Griffith University, presents modern business principles as they apply to the golf professional. The areas of merchandising, account keeping, financing, human resource management and law are examined. Upon completing this topic, the trainee is better equipped to enter the area of Golf Shop Operations in the golfing industry. RULES, ETHICS AND TOURNAMENTS Study of this subject gives the trainee an essential grounding in The Rules of Golf, career paths and the ever-challenging area of junior golf development. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A PGA TRAINEESHIP To be eligible to be accepted as a trainee member for entry into the Academy, an applicant shall meet the following requirements: * Be at least eighteen (18) years of age during the calendar year of application. * Have attained minimum of Year 12 and a standard of education acceptable to the Academy. (It is preferable that applicants have attained HSC level or equivalent). * Produce and demonstrate accurate evidence of playing ability. Male applicants shall have an official amateur handicap of three (3) or better and/or demonstrate their playing ability through a playing test conducted by the respective Divisional Office. * Female applicants shall have an official amateur handicap of five (5) or better and/or demonstrate their playing ability through a playing test conducted by the respective Divisional Office. * Attend an interview with representatives of the Academy. Applicants may be required to produce documents in support of their applications. * The applicant will be informed by the Divisional Office within fourteen (14) days of the outcome of the interview and playing test. * Applicants with qualifications in relevant areas of study from institutions of Higher Education are invited to apply for advanced standing in areas of the academic component of the trainee programme. Academic transcripts will be required to be forwarded with all such applications. TOURNAMENT PLAY Tournament play is an integral component of the trainee program. Many opportunities exist for playing – ranging from local events to the international stage. Throughout the traineeship, trainees are required to maintain a standard of play that is representative of a professional golfer. Students graduating from the program must have maintained a played average better than 4.00 against par with no CCR adjustment after 40 rounds of tournament golf. Playing opportunities for trainees include: * Weekly PGA trainee events * Entry to Pro-Am events (subject to availability) * PGA State Trainee Championships * PGA National Futures Championship * Other state and national events (subject to invitation) The PGA Academy is a recognised training organisation and offers nationally recognised training. Students graduate with a Diploma of Sport Coaching (Professional Golf). APPLICATION DETAILS Applications are available from the state offices. All applications for the assessment day must be received at the state office between the 1st and 31st August each year. Applications received outside these dates will no longer be considered. Copies of references from two PGA members, academic transcripts and a twelve month playing statement from the applicant s home club must accompany the application. All enquires should be made to the PGA Head Office, or to the various state PGA offices HOW DO YOU QUALIFY TO BECOME A PGA TRAINEE MEMBER Each year all states conduct a similar interview and playing test for all prospective trainees. The aptitude and assessment day and playing test are conducted prior to December in all states. Once they have satisfied Academy representatives that they are eligible, future trainees will be invited to register with the PGA Academy of Golf by no later than 1st February of each year. LOSS OF AMATEUR STATUS Upon registration of an employment contract with the PGA Academy, trainees automatically forfeit their amateur status. This means that failure in the trainee scheme will leave players in a state of limbo, that is, neither an amateur nor a professional golfer. TRAINEE EDUCATION FEES As a non-profit making association, the PGA must charge annual education fees to defray some of the administration costs involved in the traineeship. The fees are set and reviewed by the PGA Board on an annual basis. PGA INTERNATIONAL GOLF INSTITUTE The PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) is a centre of excellence for training and education across the wide range of vocations that comprise the golf industry. The PGA IGI exists to develop career pathways and opportunities for students, elite athletes, coaches and administrators in the golf industry and related business sectors. Located on the Gold Coast and utilising Griffith University&aposs campuses and designated golf facilities, the PGA IGI is a unique entity in Australasia. The PGA IGI delivers a distinctive range of world class education services catered to both the domestic and international golf industry. Related links: www.pgaigi.com www.pga.org.au
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