Tate ‘elated’ and ‘honoured’ after being awarded PGA Advanced Fellow Professional status

PGA Excel is the Association’s brand new, dedicated assessment framework that enables PGA Members to demonstrate their impact, achievements and value to employers, golfers and the wider industry.

Asked how she found the new online process, Tate continued: “I honestly enjoyed the whole process - I found it very interesting working through all of the various value blocks, and at times I felt like I was writing a short novel, as there were so many different elements I felt I could write about. With my day-to-day role involving both coaching and running a golf club, it encompasses many of the value blocks.

“I wasn’t particularly familiar with the old APAL system but I know it was heavily paper-based. Now, the PGA Excel assessment is made up of the various value blocks and expertise areas which are hugely important.

“I found that the self-assessment element at the start was a really useful tool, as from the outset you could see where you sat within the various rankings and obviously providing the application met the criteria for each level, I felt it gave you some kind of indication from the start as to which ranking you might be able to achieve.

“Technology has changed and the new online process is beneficial for everyone’s time management, from the pro’s who are applying, to the moderators, to the overall board. The online process was very user friendly and the ability to save your application as you went along was really convenient, particularly when we’re all busy, either trying to run a professional shop, run a business or whatever it might be.”

Asked what she would say to fellow PGA Members to encourage them to begin their own PGA Excel application, Tate added: “I’d be extremely supportive of any PGA Professional wanting to engage in the process - it serves as the perfect platform to demonstrate your skills, show what you’ve learnt in your career, and even showcase your overall value.

“Given my own experience, which has only been positive, and even if you don’t achieve the status you thought you were going to, the results from this are only positive, particularly with all the feedback you get from the various assessors.

“It’s all about advancing your own standards and reflecting on your own personal and professional development and career. It also gives you the chance to compare yourself to your peers and where you sit in that ranking continuum.

“Plus, for those members looking to change careers, or those looking to showcase their skills to their existing employers, completing the PGA Excel programme can only be an advantage in showcasing your value and what you can deliver. It also serves as the perfect tool for self-reflection - it gives you clarity, focus and looking at yourself for future development - looking at the criteria and value blocks, it really makes you think about the different areas that you might need to advance yourself further in, or not.”

CLICK HERE to find out more about PGA Excel.

PGA Members are encouraged to start their PGA Excel journey today. This new framework enables you to demonstrate your impact and achievement to employers, golfers and the wider industry and move up through the designations.

Check your eligibility more easily, review your progression against a scoring criteria using a brand new assessment form, and complete your application digitally, whenever and wherever suits.

CLICK HERE to begin your PGA Excel journey.