The completion of the Australian Golf Center in Sandringham and the relocation of the PGA administration staff to the heart of the Melbourne Sandbelt have paved the way for an expansion of the PGA’s existing educational infrastructure at the Sandhurst Club adjacent to the two championship golf courses.
In conjunction with the existing PGA Membership Pathway Program, Accreditation and Continuing Education Program and the PGA’s Registered Training Organization – the PGA International Golf Institute, the PGA Golf Learning Hub will provide entry into a career in golf and where the existing workforce can use their skills and improve their education.
According to Gavin Kirkman, CEO of PGA of Australia, the PGA Golf Learning Hub will be the world’s first golf industry education center serving the human resource development needs of both the Australian and global golf industries.
“The hub aims to provide career paths to the current and future golf workforce by improving relevant industry knowledge, skills and competencies.” – Gavin Kirkman.
“The PGA Golf Learning Hub will offer training and education programs and qualifications for all pillars of the golf industry, including coaching, small business, facility management, turf-grass management, tourism, events and hospitality.
“The hub aims to provide career paths to the current and future golf workforce by improving relevant industry knowledge, skills and competencies.”
Working with the Holmesglen Institute and with financial support from the Victorian Government and Frankston City Council, first-year students in the first semester of 2022 are welcomed and given the opportunity to explore a range of topics related to a future career in golf.
Tourism, Sports and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said the Victorian government’s investments would help job growth in the state.
“The hub will be a real asset to the game and will make Victoria a major travel destination for people seeking world-class education and training in the golf industry,” said Pakula.
“Golf is a major place to work in Victoria, and initiatives like this will ensure the next generation is well educated and ready to take off right away.”
Kirkman said the Holmesglen Institute has demonstrated its ability to offer a wide range of educational programs for both professional and college education over the past 40 years.
“We are pleased that their skills complement the expertise of the PGA Education team,” said Kirkman.
“We are also grateful to Frankston City Council for their assistance in renovating our existing Sandhurst facility into a useful facility for bringing highly skilled people into the Australian golf industry.”
Frankston City Council will contribute $ 60,000 to the project, with Mayor Kris Bolam highlighting the benefits that the golf industry offers all Australians.
“Frankston City has eight golf courses and we look forward to the great opportunities the PGA Golf Learning Hub will bring to residents and visitors,” said Mayor Bolam, adding that it has a positive effect on our senses, being fit, healthy and staying active of physical and mental wellbeing.
Deputy Mayor Nathan Conroy said the exciting initiative will make Frankston a major target for training and education programs in the golf industry at home and abroad.
“In addition to bringing new people and students to the area, the PGA Golf Learning Hub will also be available to locals in the Frankston community to enroll in golf industry training and education programs,” said Mr. Conroy.
The golf industry currently employs more than 24,000 people in Australia which, according to the 2017 Community Impact Study commissioned by the Australian Golf Industry Council, will add $ 3.6 billion to the Australian economy.
© Golf Australia. All rights reserved.