A message from the Chief Executive

09/09/2020

This month is one of the most important in the modern history of The PGA as we launch our expanded membership categories. We have been developing the strategy and offer - called 2020 Vision - over the last 12 months following agreement by the Board and support from the wider membership that this was an important and welcome next step in the future of the Association.

From November of this year there will be three categories of membership as we expand the traditional PGA Professional role into three - PGA Professional, PGA Coach and PGA Manager. The category of PGA Professional will remain, and many of you will choose to stay within it. Future members of the Association will be able to specialise from the outset.

By moving from one general category to three specialist categories, we are highlighting the key roles that Members play in so many sectors of the industry and recognising your skills and influence in these roles.

Members have long asked for the ability to better promote themselves as experts in their fields, whether it be to employers or consumers, and being able to specialise in this way provides that opportunity.

Linked to the use of the PGA brand announced last year, we believe that any Member of the Association will now be equipped to demonstrate their expertise and value to the wider industry, thereby increasing their relevance and influence in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Members can work towards Advanced, Specialist and Master status within the PGA Professional and Coach categories, further cementing that specialisation. PGA Managers will be recognised at Senior and Executive level.

As well as expanding the categories, we will begin to deliver a specialist learning framework for each which will allow you to further develop your skills and demonstrate that learning long past formal qualification. Our CPD offering will be the most comprehensive within the industry.

We recognise that we need to expand our benefits and services to those Members who no longer work in the traditional role of PGA Professional and you will see a widening of the benefits to include club management related services, as well as personal development support.

Careers and recruitment will be an important pillar within the membership offer, supporting you in demonstrating relevant skills in the search for employment and better career opportunities in all sectors of the industry.

The driving force behind the expansion has been ‘influence’. We want to speak to and work directly with the people who directly influence your day to day business and your futures, including golf club committees, golf club managers, and proprietors.

We will be launching a PGA Business Management Group giving all who work in
golf an association with The PGA, whilst a Club Volunteer membership will provide training and guidance for the very important volunteers within the game who not only have an influence on the way golf clubs are run but on PGA Members directly.

By positioning The PGA at the heart of the golf club in this way, the status and reputation of PGA Members will in turn be enhanced and your value and expertise reinforced at club level. We will welcome all who work in the golf industry into the Business Management Group, further widening the status and reputation of PGA Members in other areas from retail, to manufacturing, travel, and other golf related sectors.

Further details are in the latest issue of The PGA Professional magazine and over the coming weeks we will conduct a comprehensive communications campaign internally and to the wider industry announcing our intentions and the next steps for our Members.

The events of the last few months have seen many industries and organisations look at their own future and that of those who rely on a sector for their livelihood. The golf industry is no exception. As well as challenges, there are now many opportunities and our strategy developed over the last 18 months has put us in a position to take advantage of those opportunities on behalf of our Members.

Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive