PGA Excel – Rewarding impact and adding value to those that employ PGA Members

18/07/2024

PGA Excel has already contributed greatly to the progression of PGA Members, with many reaping the benefit, securing more advanced positions in the golf industry and gaining more recognition and reward from their employers.

Click here to see all Q2 2024 PGA Excel Awardees.

A recent survey of PGA Members who have received new designations revealed the impressive value of the awards.

80% changed roles or started new job since new designations
95% believe PGA Excel designation enables them to stand out vs other candidates
90% more confident in ability to apply for and secure more senior roles
60% negotiated a better wage or retainer

Tristan Crew, Executive Director – Member Services, believes that the value of PGA Excel to the golf industry is about recognition of an individual’s capabilities, which can obviously be an extremely beneficial reference point for those that are that are looking to recruit PGA Members or for certain roles with golf facilities.

“This elevation of professional standards and clear identification of the impact an individual’s learning and development has had is very positive for the golf industry. There is a clear correlation between highly-skilled and motivated staff and the overall success of every element of a golf facility,” says Crew.

“Put simply, better PGA coaches make golf more enjoyable, which leads to more people playing golf. Better PGA Professionals improve standards across all elements of a facility, whether it’s club fitting, retail, dealing with club members, operations or marketing… which in turn leads to a more efficient, popular and profitable facility. Better PGA Managers produce better run facilities or clubs, which of course speaks for itself.

“We want employers or deployers of PGA Professionals to look at the individuals within their facility and encourage them to engage with PGA Excel because it benefits everyone.”

Earlier this year, Hampshire-based PGA Professional, Ian Mowbray was awarded Advanced Fellow status and believes PGA Excel is vital for members who wish to progress.

He said: “PGA Excel allows you to gain recognition within the industry. More importantly, the status allows you to be able to use it at your golf club to promote yourself within your membership.

“I think that as club professionals it is important that we communicate what it means to our members, to the influential people within golf clubs - the club captains, the secretaries, the committee members. I think they are the ones that need to know and understand more about it as ultimately, they are our employers.”

David Addison, the General Manager at Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club, now boasts PGA Fellow Manager status and identifies the clear value it presents to the club. “It’s a huge benefit to the club,” he says. “We have plenty of experts in their own fields at Barassie and I’m just glad I’m one of them too.”

Adam Keogh, Head Professional and Academy Manager at Woodhall Spa Golf Club, has now held his PGA Fellow Professional status for well over a year, following his application at the start of 2023.

Adam is also an advocate for showcasing progression to a club/facility and speaks highly of the importance of earning the next PGA Excel designation.

“Unless you’re a PGA Member, people don’t really have an appreciation of what the different designations of membership are. Master obviously speaks for itself and I’m very lucky to have met and know some PGA Master Professionals who have really changed the game in their own way, but the wider world needs to know more about it.

“It wouldn't surprise me in the future if certain designations were attached to certain jobs within the industry, which could obviously push it even more.”

PGA Excel certainly contributed to the career development of PGA Advanced Professional Sam Smitherman.

Smitherman joined a number of PGA Members in beginning his PGA Excel application last year. The 31-year-old, then based at Walton Health, submitted his application and in May was awarded his PGA Advanced status.

“I’ve always been aware of PGA Excel and the relevant designations,” said Smitherman. “It’s a driving force behind my professional growth and personal goals. Through speaking with some industry pros, I knew I could be eligible for a new PGA designation, so I started gathering evidence for my own application. I knew it would only bolster any application for a job further down the line.”

And it did exactly that, almost immediately. Smitherman was awarded Advanced status whilst in the process of applying for a new position as head professional at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, a role previously held for almost 50 years by Andrew Reynolds.

A new designation through PGA Excel demonstrates your advanced skills, expertise and commitment within the golf industry.

- Sam Smitherman, PGA Advanced Professional

"Obtaining the PGA Advanced Professional designation likely played a crucial role in securing the position at Royal Cinque Ports. Employers value PGA designations as they signify a high level of proficiency, potentially setting you apart from other candidates”, Smitherman said. “The award also showcased my commitment to continuous improvement.”

To find out more about PGA Excel, click here.

Start your application by clicking here.