Eleven PGA Professionals Enhance Skills With Certifications

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- With the latest rounds of the PGA Proficiency Test completed on October 19, 11 PGA Professionals received 12 certifications from The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) Certified Professional Program.

The PGA Certified Professional Program is an online educational curriculum that supports PGA Professionals who are committed to continuously enhancing their golf management skills in order to stay ahead of the increasing demands of the industry. Since the program's inception in August 2004, 569 PGA Professionals have earned a total of 1,094 certifications in related career paths, including General Management, Golf Operations, Instruction, Retail, Executive Management and Ownership/Leasing.

The online learning approach ensures broad access to the program, while reducing the time and travel costs associated with traditional classes. Currently the most popular career paths are Golf Operations and General Management. Classes with the highest enrollment are accounting, business planning and budgeting, turfgrass management and customer relations.

Editors Note: The following list includes the names and affiliations of PGA Members who recently obtained certification. For interviews or additional information on the following Certified PGA Professionals please contact Shannon Boozman at 561/624-7671 or sboozman@pgahq.com.

Recently Certified Professionals (* previously earned certification):

• Robert Charland, Chardonnay Golf Club, Napa, Calif. (Executive Management, Ownership/Leasing, Golf Operations*, General Management*, Retail* and Instruction*)

• Kendall R. DeVane, Dixie Section (Golf Operations)

• Mark D. Hayden, Hillcrest Country Club, Boise, Idaho (Golf Operations)

• Alison E. Ibarra, Spring Creek Golf Course, Gordonsville, Va. (Golf Operations)

• John A. Landers, Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland, Calif. (Retail, Instruction*, Ownership/Leasing*, General Management*, Golf Operations* and Executive Management*)

• Marcus E. Macon, Dick's Sporting Goods, Columbia, Md. (Retail)

• Stephen W. Nixon, Precision Golf School, Greensboro, N.C. (Instruction)

• Michael S. Pearson, Avondale Country Club, Palm Desert, Calif. (General Management)

• Daniel Terlescki, Everglades Club, Palm Beach, Fla. (Golf Operations)

• Stephen A. Vigiano, Southern California Section (Golf Operations)

• Jeremy A. Whitehurst, Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. (Instruction and Golf Operations*)