Assistant PGA Professional Championship

[DaveP043]

The PGA of America is holding its 2016 Championship for Assistant Professionals beginning today in Port St. Lucie, FL.  I normally wouldn't know anything about this, but this year is different,  The first assistant from our club, Paul Apolenis, is down in Florida to compete.  He shot 79-64 in the Section Assistant Championship to tie for seventh, and was the second alternate to go to the national championship.  After a few of the members here  knee-capped  two of the higher qualifiers , Paul got his invitation.  Our membership is pretty proud of him, and hoping for a great performance from him this week.  I suppose I just felt like bragging a bit.  

[DaveP043]

And just this quick, an update.  Paul shot 70 (-2) to be leader in the clubhouse, with exactly one group finished.   For those of us interested in pace of play, his group was first off at 8:00, and the scores are posted to the website by 12:30, fairly reasonable for real competition golf.  As a supplement to another recent thread, they're using 9 minute intervals.

[Hacker James]

out of curiosity, what is the difference between an assistant PGA Professional and a PGA Apprentice?  I have read a little about the strenuous apprenticeship program and that is a fine accomplishment.

[DaveP043]

I'm not well versed in the PGA career progression, but I think that an apprentice is still in the process of getting his full membership.  A quick web search tells me that there are three levels of education and testing that an apprentice must pass in order to get to full PGA membership, and the must complete them all within 8 years of starting.  Even after becoming a full member of the PGA, a pro might not (probably won't?) get a head pro position right away, he (or she) might work for a while as an Assistant Pro to gain more experience and make more contacts.  If I remember right, the current tournament is open to both Assistants and Apprentices.

[Hacker James]

sounds about right. It would be a pity to not complete within the 8 year program though and until you land a position as head pro, you would more than likely need a second source of income.  Meanwhile, keep manning the counter and an occasional sale of a pair of shoes.

[iacas]

  On 10/27/2016 at 7:25 PM, Hacker James said:

sounds about right. It would be a pity to not complete within the 8 year program though and until you land a position as head pro, you would more than likely need a second source of income.  Meanwhile, keep manning the counter and an occasional sale of a pair of shoes.

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I'm in year five or six…  The PGA doesn't do a lot for instructors, so… it can be pretty tough to want to slog through the crap they have us doing that doesn't relate at all to what we do day to day.

[DaveP043]

  On 10/27/2016 at 7:40 PM, iacas said:

I'm in year five or six…  The PGA doesn't do a lot for instructors, so… it can be pretty tough to want to slog through the crap they have us doing that doesn't relate at all to what we do day to day.

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I saw the same thing when I did my little bit of internet research yesterday, it looks like the PGA apprentice training is aimed at those who will end up working at a golf club.  I know from my club that the job of the PGA staff includes managing day-to-day golf operations, running the retail pro-shop business, running club tournaments, marketing and running outside golf events, as well as a bit of instruction.  @iacas, do you know what percentage of PGA (or other) golf professionals are in this type of situation, as opposed to those who concentrate almost entirely on instruction as you do?

Another update from Florida, Paul's 70 put him in a 5-way tie for second, two behind the leader.  Unless he breaks a leg, he seems likely to make the cut at the end of today and move on to the weekend.  I wish the PGA had real-time scoring, so I could watch through the day!

[Hacker James]

I've only looked into it a little as you did. I sometimes wonder if this program is a rather recent thing.  I cannot imagine a Trevino, or Nicklaus having to go through such a thing.  I think Trevino started out shagging balls at a country club, got into "hustling" some of the guests, resorted to "tricks" as putting vaseline, or something on his irons e.t.c.  Then you have the old time instructors like Bob Toski, or that Tewell guy with his square to square. I doubt if they had to go to any sort of qualifying school, but I really do not know. A lot of folks are calling themselves "pro" these days, but I guess their is distinction from being a PGA Professional than just someone getting financial compensation. Again, I am really ignorant of the facts, just mild curiosity.

[iacas]

  On 10/29/2016 at 1:05 AM, Hacker James said:

I've only looked into it a little as you did. I sometimes wonder if this program is a rather recent thing.  I cannot imagine a Trevino, or Nicklaus having to go through such a thing.  

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Hmmm? The PGA Tour is not the PGA of America.

Tiger Woods is considered a PGA member because he's a player with status on a major Tour, but even that is a somewhat special classification. It's A3 here: http://www.pga.com/pga-america/pga-information/pga-america-member-classifications.

  On 10/29/2016 at 1:05 AM, Hacker James said:

Then you have the old time instructors like Bob Toski, or that Tewell guy with his square to square. I doubt if they had to go to any sort of qualifying school, but I really do not know.

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There's no "qualifying school" for being a PGA member or apprentice. If you pass the playing ability test (and you don't even really have to do that first), and pay for your level 1 materials, you're in (as an apprentice).

The last "business school" (what the PGA program used to use) was back in the 90s, I think. They've been doing this new program for quite awhile now.

  On 10/29/2016 at 1:05 AM, Hacker James said:

A lot of folks are calling themselves "pro" these days, but I guess their is distinction from being a PGA Professional than just someone getting financial compensation.

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You don't have to be a PGA member to be a pro.

You simply have to declare yourself a pro… or enter a tournament as a pro… or win too much money in a golf tournament… or other things as defined here: http://www.usga.org/rules-hub/amateur-status.html .

[Hacker James]

  On 10/29/2016 at 8:21 PM, iacas said:

Hmmm? The PGA Tour is not the PGA of America.

Tiger Woods is considered a PGA member because he's a player with status on a major Tour, but even that is a somewhat special classification. It's A3 here: http://www.pga.com/pga-america/pga-information/pga-america-member-classifications.

There's no "qualifying school" for being a PGA member or apprentice. If you pass the playing ability test (and you don't even really have to do that first), and pay for your level 1 materials, you're in (as an apprentice).

The last "business school" (what the PGA program used to use) was back in the 90s, I think. They've been doing this new program for quite awhile now.

You don't have to be a PGA member to be a pro.

You simply have to declare yourself a pro… or enter a tournament as a pro… or win too much money in a golf tournament… or other things as defined here: http://www.usga.org/rules-hub/amateur-status.html .

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Well, thank you for the enlightenment, now I am only a bit "less" ignorant of the facts. If I understand you correctly, "anybody" can declare themselves a pro. uh...I think I will wait just a bit longer". In all seriousness, the distinctions between the two can become important in venues such as Pro/Am's and other tournaments. One could miss out on a lot of opportunities available to amateurs if so inclined. I would assume also that amateur winnings would be in the form of title, trophy's, perks, in lieu of money?  In any event, lots of things to strive for, by Pro and Amateur alike.  I've played for quite some time, not really thinking much about it, and only recently in my retirement years starting to pay attention to the nitty gritty aspects of this  convuluted (sp), sport.  I was only taken back by learning that you have to complete the requirement within eight years, and why someone would go to all that trouble and not complete it. I would also surmise that other things come up that take a priority, such as making a living.

 When I received my Real Estate Brokers license, it really gave me no additional benefit until I started my own company. Up until that time, I worked with a franchise and received no special advantage to real estate agents who had not obtained their brokers license, in fact many of those, exceeded my record in sales. I did have at one time, a certain standing in the State of California in a particular franchise, but even that was a "dubious" honor.  I even was listed in "who's who", and to this day do not know why, or who submitted my name.

Any how, credit due to any and all who deserve it.

[Mop Bucket]

  On 10/27/2016 at 5:25 PM, Hacker James said:

out of curiosity, what is the difference between an assistant PGA Professional and a PGA Apprentice?  I have read a little about the strenuous apprenticeship program and that is a fine accomplishment.

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A head pro is usually either an owner or supervisor of the course and deals a lot with the reps and budgeting while the assistant attends to day to day operation stuff like tee sheets, handicaps, and inventory etc...

Head pros are oftentimes certified too, while the status of assistants range.

[DaveP043]

A final update, our assistant pro ended up shooting 70-79-75-76, tied for 59th for the week.  He's a little disappointed, but also proud to have made the cut.  

  On 10/30/2016 at 8:02 PM, Mop Bucket said:

A head pro is usually either an owner or supervisor of the course and deals a lot with the reps and budgeting while the assistant attends to day to day operation stuff like tee sheets, handicaps, and inventory etc...

Head pros are oftentimes certified too, while the status of assistants range.

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I can't speak for most courses, but I do know what our head pro does.  He's essentially a department head, working under the club's general manager, managing most golf-related business.  He works with the GM in budgeting golf operations.  He hires and schedules the assistant pros and the "outside" staff, those guys who shuttle carts, pick up range balls and stock the range.  He helps the assistant and/or apprentice pros continue with their education in the golf business.  He markets and runs outside tournaments.  He works with the Tournament committee in organizing and running the member tournaments.  He runs the pro shop as an independent business, selecting, purchasing, and displaying for equipment and apparel.  He coordinates with the Course maintenance staff and the food and beverage staff where appropriate.  He's a Class A PGA member, which means he's taken all of those seminars and passed whatever tests are required.  

[David in FL]

  On 10/31/2016 at 12:39 PM, DaveP043 said:

A final update, our assistant pro ended up shooting 70-79-75-76, tied for 59th for the week.  He's a little disappointed, but also proud to have made the cut.  

I can't speak for most courses, but I do know what our head pro does.  He's essentially a department head, working under the club's general manager, managing most golf-related business.  He works with the GM in budgeting golf operations.  He hires and schedules the assistant pros and the "outside" staff, those guys who shuttle carts, pick up range balls and stock the range.  He helps the assistant and/or apprentice pros continue with their education in the golf business.  He markets and runs outside tournaments.  He works with the Tournament committee in organizing and running the member tournaments.  He runs the pro shop as an independent business, selecting, purchasing, and displaying for equipment and apparel.  He coordinates with the Course maintenance staff and the food and beverage staff where appropriate.  He's a Class A PGA member, which means he's taken all of those seminars and passed whatever tests are required.  

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Good thread.  Fun to hear about his progress this past week.  Making the cut was a great accomplishment.

The Director of Golf at our club functions in exactly the same manner as yours.

[jsgolfer]

The guy who came in second was from Maine.  Shawn Warren, I remember him as a junior golfer when I was playing a lot in Maine many moons ago.  Really good player.  Falmouth CC is an excellent course.