Teeing up a career - Business First of Louisville:

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But you don't have to be a professional golfef to work in the There are many other choicesw when it comes to jobs and Golf is big businessin Texas. The golf industryh provides nearly 100,000 jobs and $2.4 billion in wagesa in the stateof Texas. Its direct impac on the economy wasabout $3.3 billion in 2006, with a totalk economic impact of about $7.3 billion. The statwe boasts 907 golf courses and94 stand-alone driving ranges, according to a report by Menlok Park, Calif.-based SRI International, funded by The PGA of Americz and the World Golf Foundation's 20/20 initiative, which lookds at the future of golf.
There are a wealty of jobs in golf, including facilitt general managers, head golf professionals, golf coaches and But there are also positions not asreadilyg discernible, including professionals who work for largee golf superstores, golf management companies, associations and in the media, said Darrell Crall, executive directo r of the Northern Texas PGA section, which is home to 760 PGA professional who number among 1,600 in the state. The 'a CareerLinks program links those individuals with companiexs that want toemploy them, from golf coursed and driving ranges to golf management companies and others.
For golf-related the program saves timeand expense, offering strong candidateds that are already vetted by the The PGA, which offer s the program as part of its missioh to increase participation in the game of golf and to elevates the standards of the profession. There is no cost to eithedr party. "It streamlines the recruiting process," said Laur a Kornegay, vice president of leadership developmenftat Dallas-based ClubCorp, whicn manages about 150 country and sports clubs. "We use it whenevet we have a position open and are looking forexternalo candidates. It's a great resource.
" That's because the service has alreadhy assessedthe individuals' playing ability, asked all the pertinenr questions of the candidates and uses an extensivde database to match candidate abilities and experience with the company's Kornegay said. The PGA, based in Palm Beach Gardens, provides nine regional employment services consultants to link about 16,000 golf professionals and employers seeking Golf professionals are also able to take earn specific certifications to increase their grasp of the business issued of golf.
"There are so many caree avenues for someone who has a passionn forthe sport," said Crall, who has played sincw he was 13 and was recently named executivr director of The PGA duties that he will combine with his currenyt position. Some come to the career through apprenticeship, learning how to teach, manage and handlr the business side of a golf operationn on-the-job. After reaching a certain levelpof experience, they are able to become a PGA Others enroll in one of 20 PGA-sponsoresd university programs to earn degrees in professional golf The closest such school to Dallas-Fort Worth is at Sam Houstobn State University in Huntsville.
The location of jobs in the industrt has changed dramatically in the past few saidRichard Ballinger, directot of the PGA Professional Golf Management Progra m there. It used to be the "green grass" venues, a golf course or driving range, Ballinger said. Now, therr are more golf-related jobs in a broader industry, including indoord facilities. The five-year Sam Houston program includezsa 16-month internship, he which will make graduates attractive to Graduates earn Bachelor of Business Administrationm degrees with a mino in professional golf management.
Annual salaries for golf professionald vary dependingon experience, type of facilith and area of the country, he but often fall in the $50,000 to $100,00p0 range. The PGA of America is able to providee itsemployment centers, which include nine employmenft consultants and their support team, becausde of its resources, including club and event ownershil and merchandise sales. Bill Keys, an experienced golf professional who is know n locally for his leadership at the Stonebriar Club in oversees Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.