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Mission is to foster an environment that allows our members to grow professionally by creating a unique culture amongst its members and by offering educational opportunities, mentoring programs, community initiative programs and a competitive tournament series.
Education
Click here to view the Section Education Page
2012 marks the sixth year of the Apprentice Orientation Program (AOP) conducted by The Minnesota Section Education Committee. The orientation serves as an Apprentice Professional’s introduction to not only the PGA/PGM program, but the Section itself, and our National Association. When an individual makes the decision to start a career as a PGA Golf Professional it is only fitting that our section takes an active interest in starting them off in the right direction and with proper and accurate information.
Our national association has directed much time, energy, and money into crafting the PGA/PGM program. Furthermore, PGM 2.0, a major renovation to the previous apprenticeship education program, debuted in 2010. Although PGM information is available online, the crucial elements of the program will be outlined in the orientation. There is more, however, to starting a career in golf and becoming a successful professional than just completing the materials for each required level. In order to better prepare incoming apprentices for their career track, the Minnesota Section AOP covers additional topics that all apprentices should be exposed to. The orientation will touch on the history of our National Association, current issues within the industry and facing our association, Minnesota Section history, apprentice requirements, professional conduct, and tournament regulations.
Moreover, an implied purpose of the program is to make sure current P.G.A. members (i.e. “Supervising Professionals”) take an active interest in mentoring their assistants. Because of advances in the national education system, many Supervising Professionals are unaware of many details regarding the PGA/PGM program. Through this orientation and then through follow ups with apprentices, we hope to increase the awareness of all Supervising Professionals throughout the section and aid them in monitoring and nurturing their apprentices development.
Program Administration
Attending this orientation will be required for all new apprentices registering within the Minnesota Section. Any apprentice who transfers into the Minnesota Section will also be required to attend this orientation as well.
Apprentices required to attend, will NOT be allowed to compete in section events until they attend an orientation. The Education Committee strongly recommends, although not a requirement, that all apprentices, especially those not through level 1, attend the orientation.
Representatives of the Education Committee will attend the Annual Assistant’s Association meeting and conduct “group” orientations that morning. Please contact the section office to sign up. We can accommodate up to 30 apprentices at this time.
If an apprentice is unable to attend a scheduled orientation they can contact any of the following section professionals who will conduct the orientation at their home facility:
Once an apprentice completes the orientation, the section office will be notified. In addition, a letter will go to the Supervising Professional for every apprentice who attends
describing the orientation, verifying completion, and suggesting the Head Professional look over the Supervising Professionals Guidelines. During the orientation,
apprentices will be made aware of the Supervising Professionals Guidelines and will be urged to present them personally to their professional.
The Education Committee will follow up with the apprentice to assess their progress and make any suggestions necessary to keep that apprentice on track. The Education Committee may also contact the Supervising Professional at that time as well.
The orientation will include a power point presentation and/or hand out materials. The section will provide those section members who have volunteered to conduct orientations with the appropriate materials.
Minnesota Section PGA Apprentice Orientation Program
Purpose2012 marks the sixth year of the Apprentice Orientation Program (AOP) conducted by The Minnesota Section Education Committee. The orientation serves as an Apprentice Professional’s introduction to not only the PGA/PGM program, but the Section itself, and our National Association. When an individual makes the decision to start a career as a PGA Golf Professional it is only fitting that our section takes an active interest in starting them off in the right direction and with proper and accurate information.
Our national association has directed much time, energy, and money into crafting the PGA/PGM program. Furthermore, PGM 2.0, a major renovation to the previous apprenticeship education program, debuted in 2010. Although PGM information is available online, the crucial elements of the program will be outlined in the orientation. There is more, however, to starting a career in golf and becoming a successful professional than just completing the materials for each required level. In order to better prepare incoming apprentices for their career track, the Minnesota Section AOP covers additional topics that all apprentices should be exposed to. The orientation will touch on the history of our National Association, current issues within the industry and facing our association, Minnesota Section history, apprentice requirements, professional conduct, and tournament regulations.
Moreover, an implied purpose of the program is to make sure current P.G.A. members (i.e. “Supervising Professionals”) take an active interest in mentoring their assistants. Because of advances in the national education system, many Supervising Professionals are unaware of many details regarding the PGA/PGM program. Through this orientation and then through follow ups with apprentices, we hope to increase the awareness of all Supervising Professionals throughout the section and aid them in monitoring and nurturing their apprentices development.
Program Administration
Attending this orientation will be required for all new apprentices registering within the Minnesota Section. Any apprentice who transfers into the Minnesota Section will also be required to attend this orientation as well.
Apprentices required to attend, will NOT be allowed to compete in section events until they attend an orientation. The Education Committee strongly recommends, although not a requirement, that all apprentices, especially those not through level 1, attend the orientation.
Representatives of the Education Committee will attend the Annual Assistant’s Association meeting and conduct “group” orientations that morning. Please contact the section office to sign up. We can accommodate up to 30 apprentices at this time.
If an apprentice is unable to attend a scheduled orientation they can contact any of the following section professionals who will conduct the orientation at their home facility:
| Joel Burger Golden Valley G&CC 763-732-4140 Mark W. Johnson Fargo CC 701-237-6746 Keith Kalny StoneRidge GC 651-436-4653 Jim Manthis U of M Les Bolsted GC 612-627-4000 |
Peer Finstad Ridges at Sand Creek 952-492-2644 Joe O'Connor Northland CC 218-525-1970 Michael Herzog Bent Creek GC 952-937-9347 John (Chip) Ferlaak Northfield GC 507-645-4026 |
David Richardson Soldiers Field GC 507-281-6176 Eric Peterson Cragun's 218-831-1360 Craig Thomsen Saint Cloud CC 320-253-1331 Jon Vee Faribault G&CC 507-334-3810 |
The Education Committee will follow up with the apprentice to assess their progress and make any suggestions necessary to keep that apprentice on track. The Education Committee may also contact the Supervising Professional at that time as well.
The orientation will include a power point presentation and/or hand out materials. The section will provide those section members who have volunteered to conduct orientations with the appropriate materials.
