North America's Only Golf Management Degree Program

THE ONLY FOUR YEAR GOLF MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAM
in North America that prepares high achievers for golf industry management

Meet Jack Nicklaus. Visit St. Andrews and play the Old Course. And earn a business degree from the only four-year golf management program in North America.

These are just a few of the opportunities that Georgian College's golf management degree program offers students focusing on high-level positions in the golf industry. Georgian College is located in Barrie, Ontario just north of Toronto.

Developed in Canada, the Bachelor of Business (Golf Management) program fills a void in golf post-secondary education by preparing graduates with financial, management and business skills to be successful as senior managers and executives in the golf industry.

"With the increasing sophistication of the golf business, post-secondary education was not keeping up with the demand for graduates who are capable of executive level decision-making and management capabilities, particularly around finance, human resources, and retail management," said Brad Doey, program coordinator for Georgian's golf management degree and two-year diploma programs.

"This is why the golf industry has brought people into golf management positions from the hotel and restaurant world. But many of them lack experience in golf operations, turf or golf retail. They face a very steep learning curve," Doey added.

"We created the four-year degree program to fill that vacuum, and give high achievers the preparation they are seeking, and provide employers with the highly educated personnel they require."

Students learn from industry pros and three internships

The degree program builds on Georgian's success in hospitality and tourism education. Students get hands-on, in-class instruction with industry professionals as well as three paid co-op work terms.

Students take industry-specific courses such as retail management, turf operations, clubhouse management, as well as instruction, rules, fitting, tournament and event operations. These courses are combined with business courses such as micro- and macroeconomics, marketing, principles of networking, and law.

Second-year student Jasmine Paton can't say enough about the merits of the program.

"Most golf management programs only offer diplomas," Paton says. "Once I heard about a business program that gives you a degree, and it had the 'side-order' of golf management, I knew it was for me," said Paton, who is working this summer at Silver Springs Golf & Country Club in Calgary.

"It is the first in North America, so why not be a part of it?"

Executives in the golf industry acknowledge that Georgian's four-year program is preparing students who will be ready for the complex needs of the golf business.

"Georgian's degree program ensures the college is meeting the ever-changing needs of the golf industry," says Patrick Bowers, Vice-President, Guest Experience at Horseshoe Resort just north of Barrie.

Each year, students take an educational trip that involves experiential learning, follow-up reports and presentations.

First-year students head to Florida to visit and play TPC Sawgrass (home course of the PGA Tour and site of the PLAYERS Championship). They also visit the head offices of The Golf Channel and Nicklaus Design.

"One year at Nicklaus Design, the students met and talked with Jack Nicklaus," Doey said. "They were in awe but they also learned a lot."

In their second year, students return to the Sunshine State and spend one week at Orange County National near Orlando. "Hundreds of elite amateurs and touring professionals play and practice at Orange County, which gives it a rich golf atmosphere of competition and striving for excellence. Our students feed off that energy," Doey says.

This fall, students entering third year will head to Scotland, which includes playing the Old Course at St. Andrews. They will spend a week in Scotland playing golf and soaking in the history of the game.

Connects students to soul of the game
"It's important to understand business principles, but to succeed in the golf industry you must have golf in your soul. These trips provide inspiration and experiences that connect our students to heart of the game."

Three paid co-op terms of about 4.5 months provide students with valuable work experience, allowing them to explore a variety of career options. The placements, which begin in late April and end in early September, include one season in turf, one in golf operations and one in clubhouse operations.

This past summer, students worked everywhere from Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania- host of the 2010 AT&T National PGA Tour event- to Fairmont's Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course.

Thain Moyles, who interned this summer for the second year at Aronimink, says the experience has provided him with mentoring, experience in both turf and golf operations, and insights into high-level golf events.

"I had no idea what it takes to showcase a PGA Tour event successfully," Moyles said. "When signing up for this program in 2008, I never could have pictured shaking hands with Tiger Woods. This opportunity has meant the world to me on a personal, educational, and career level."

Degree students also learn how to teach and improve their own game. They have access to an HD golf simulator, V1 swing analysis, T.O.M.I putting analysis unit, and 300 sq.-foot putting surface. Georgian students have playing privileges at seven courses around Barrie.

"To excel in this business, you have to excel in the game so it's important that our students are solid players," Doey says.

"With all that they experience during our four-year degree program, they are ready for positions such as general managers, directors of golf, golf project managers, retail managers, resort and tourism management, manufacturer's account representatives and management, golf association executive staff, and more."

For more information, please visit: www.golfmanagement.ca

Contact:
Brad Doey
Program Coordinator
Bachelor of Applied Business - Golf Management
Professional Golf Management (diploma)
Georgian College
705.728.1968 X1137
bdoey@georgianc.on.ca