The News-Press (Fort Myers, Fla.)
Florida Gulf Coast University will offer a management degree accredited by the Professional Golfers' Association of America in the fall semester, one of only 16 programs nationwide that professionals said will raise the quality of service in area golf clubs.
The PGA Professional Golf Management program, which prepares students to own golf courses, be golf directors and general managers, and teaching professionals, will begin in August with about 25 students.
Golf professionals consider the program to be the best in the country.
"I think it is a big steppingstone to produce great customer service for our guests who come down for the winter," said Tom Wildenhaus, director of golf at the Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples. "We'll have people working for us that want to be in this industry and have a real interest in it.
"And they'll be a little more focused."
In Lee and Collier counties, there are about 160 golf courses, said FGCU golf management degree director Stephen Eisenberg, who was hired in August to build the program. He said those golf courses need interns and administration-level professionals who can handle a variety of tasks on both the operational and instructional sides of the business.
To that end, entering students must meet certain academic and skill requirements. Eisenberg said applicants must have grade-point averages above 3.0, but are also required to play two 18-hole rounds with a score no higher than 76.
Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, under the Resort and Hospitality Management program, with a golf management concentration, and Eisenberg said graduates will be qualified for jobs outside of the industry.
Eisenberg said the curriculum would allow for "expanded career paths."
"It could be a great pool for us to draw from as far as employees and great for these kids getting internships," said Tom Metzger, director of golf at Vineyards Country Club in Naples.
"With the amount of golf courses we have, it's going to be phenomenal."
At least three students have chosen to declare the program their major, but the school is recruiting students. The university expects 75 students to be enrolled by the second year and 150 by the third.
Florida State University is the only institution -besides the PGA Education Center in Port St. Lucie -to offer the PGA program in the state.
Ed Weber, director of golf and general manager of the Raptor Bay Golf Club in Bonita Springs, said the program represents a trend over the last few years. He said more and more golf club managers come from an education and training background specific to the industry.
"In the past, a lot of general managers came from the food and beverage ranks," Weber said.