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Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
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PGM Faculty and Student in GTRC
Eric Handley, PGA (faculty) and Kydreece Burks (student) in the Suzy and Jim Broadhurst Golf Teaching and Research Center

If you’ve always wanted to pursue a career that aligns with your love of the sport of golf, we encourage you to consider the PGA Professional Golf Management option of the Penn State RPTM major.

The PGA Professional Golf Management option not only helps students prepare for a variety of careers within the golf industry, but it also meets the standards and accreditation by the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) — placing our students on a fast track to full PGA membership.

This option focuses on a core curriculum of hospitality management and turfgrass management courses, in addition to a strong business focus drawn from several nationally recognized academic disciplines across the university. Stepping outside the classroom, experiences can include working at or visiting golf courses around the world, where you learn firsthand how to deliver golf instruction and gain experience in retail and facility management.

If golf is your passion, make it your career icon-olus-circle

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the golf industry, you may be interested in the PGA Professional Golf Management option. This option not only helps students prepare for careers in the golf industry, but it also meets the standards and accreditation by the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA). This helps students fast track to full PGA membership.

Courses in the option focus on:

  • Business
  • Hospitality Management
  • Turfgrass Management

 

The experiences beyond the classroom can include working at or visiting golf courses around the world. There you can learn first-hand how to deliver golf instruction and gain experience in retail and facility management.

Program Overview icon-olus-circle

Our program boasts a 100-percent placement, and our strong alumni network can help provide students internship opportunities and connections in the industry. Plus, being endorsed by the PGA allows you to fast track to full PGA membership while obtaining an undergraduate degree from Penn State.

Since 1990, the PGA of America has accredited the Penn State PGA Professional Golf Management Program, which helps you prepare for a career in golf management. In addition to the core curriculum, the program has a strong business focus and is drawn from several nationally recognized academic disciplines on campus.

Courses from Smeal College of Business Administration, School of Hospitality Management, Turfgrass Management, and Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management will complement your general education courses such as:

  • English
  • Math
  • Science
  • Arts
  • Humanities
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

Watch the Penn State PGA Professional Golf Management video

Since 1990, the PGA has accredited the Penn State PGA Professional Golf Management Program.
PGA Golf Management Logo
Vincenzo Rallo
Alumni Spotlight
Vincenzo Rallo is saving lives as an NYPD officer, changing lives through golf

As an NYPD officer, Vincenzo Rallo ('08 PGM) helped save people from a burning building in Brooklyn. He created PGA Bridges, a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan PGA Section and NYPD to help build police relations within inner city communities.