Could you help nurture the next generation of PGA Members?

One of our Association’s foundations is the passing on and sharing of knowledge from one generation to the next. The Training Professional has always played a pivotal role in this, and many Members took on a new Trainee when the Training Programme restarted in October.

Although our academic programme provides Trainees with the latest knowledge and theory, their Training Professional can play just as important – if not more critical – a role in shaping their future careers, outlook and aptitude.

Danny Spillane, Manager at Rothley Park, and Coombe Hill’s Head Professional, Mark Lawrence, share their experiences of acting as PGA Training Professionals.

What qualities do you look for when recruiting a PGA Trainee?

Danny Spillane (DS): Good personal skills, golfing ability, a passion for the game, trustworthy and reliable.

Mark Lawrence (ML): Enthusiastic, polite, personable, smart, likeable and confident.

What recruitment process do you go through?

DS: Word of mouth and then an interview. This sometimes includes playing golf.

ML: An advert, interview, final interview, plus a few holes of golf.

Apart from financial rewards, what do you offer as part of the PGA Trainee’s package?

DS: Plenty of opportunity to play and teach, an allowance on clothing and equipment, a pension scheme, free use of the golf course and all associated facilities, balls for teaching and use of technical equipment (like our launch monitor) for teaching.

ML: Full use of facilities, staff lunch and beverages. Flexible work rota, discounted equipment.

What workplace experiences do you provide PGA Trainees that will stand them in good stead when they come into Membership?

DS: Staff are fully immersed in all aspects of the business. Hopefully, by having a sound structure with standard operating procedures in place, it helps them to develop an all-round understanding of the profession. We review these as a team regularly and if improvements can be made these are implemented.

ML: I try to show my PGA Trainees all aspects of being a club professional: coaching, club repairs, competition, administration and building relationships with members and visitors. Retail is a huge part of my own day-today responsibilities, so I try to give as much insight as possible to help educate the pros and cons of running a business.

What extra training do you provide your PGA Trainee that falls outside of the PGA Training Programme?

DS: We make sure all staff are trained first aiders and work with an outside contractor to provide H&S training relevant to the workplace.

ML: Shadow coaching and product training with our suppliers.

What appraisal system do you use with your PGA Trainees? What are the benefits for both parties?

DS: Informal appraisals are carried out on a regular basis. Annually, staff are asked to complete a more formal appraisal, this is then discussed, and objectives and improvements are set for the next 12 months. This then helps as a benchmark for the following year and when we have the regular informal appraisals.

ML: One-to-one appraisal every six months in a relaxed environment. Focusing on strengths and, when needed, areas of weakness which need to improve.

CLICK HERE to read the full feature with Spillane and Lawrence from the December issue of PGA Monthly.

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