Professionals Enhance Skills With Certifications From PGA of America's Certified Program

With the latest rounds of the PGA Proficiency Test completed at the end of May, 21 PGA Professionals received 25 certifications from The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) Certified Professional Program. The PGA Certified Professional Program is an online educational curriculum that supports PGA Professionals who are committed to continuously enhancing their golf management skills in order to stay ahead of the increasing demands of the industry. Since the program’s inception in August 2004, 654 PGA Professionals have earned a total of 1,271 certifications in related career paths, including General Management, Golf Operations, Instruction, Retail, Executive Management and Ownership/Leasing. The online learning approach ensures broad access to the program, while reducing the time and travel costs associated with traditional classes. Currently the most popular career paths are Golf Operations and General Management. Classes with the highest enrollment are accounting, business planning and budgeting, turfgrass management and customer relations. Editors Note: The following list includes the names and affiliations of PGA members who recently obtained certification. For interviews or additional information on the following Certified PGA Professionals please contact Shannon Boozman at 561/624-7671 or sboozman@pgahq.com. Recently Certified Professionals (* previously earned certification): Adam L. Coates, Iron Horse Golf Club, Ashland, Neb. (Instruction, General Management and Golf Operations*) Kendall R. DeVane, Edwin Watts Learning Center, Birmingham, Ala. (Instruction and Golf Operations*) Jonathan L. Dron, Eisenhower Golf Club, USAF Academy, Colo. (Golf Operations) John R. Eifert Jr., Crooked Tree Golf Course, Mason, Ohio (Retail and Golf Operations*) Ted R. Frick, Classic Swing School/Legends, Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Instruction) Jeremy P. Greiner, Middle Atlantic Section, Stafford, Va. (Instruction, Golf Operations and General Management*) John Herndon, Henderson, NV (General Management) Marcus R. Judge, Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, Sacramento, Calif. (Instruction, Retail and Golf Operations*) Brian D. Keiser, Wethersfield Country Club, Wethersfield, Conn. (Retail, Instruction* and Golf Operations*) Jim McDonald, Crumpin-Fox Club, Bernardston, Mass. (Instruction) Greg Nikolai, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Racine, Wis. (Golf Operations, Instruction* and Retail*) Valerie D. Osborn, Bay Colony Golf Club, Naples, Fla. (Retail) Michael S. Pearson, Oak Valley Golf Club, Beaumont, Calif. (Golf Operations and General Management*) Ronnie J. Pfaefflin, Norfolk Country Club, Norfolk, Conn. (Executive Management, General Management*, Golf Operations*, Retail*, Ownership/Leasing* and Instruction*) Kenneth W. Roshaven, Glenview Champions Country Club, The Villages, Fla. (Golf Operations) George C. Sanders, Eagle Point Golf Club, Wilmington, N.C. (Instruction) Meghan L. Spero, Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples, Fla. (Golf Operations) Stephen A. Vigiano, Coyote Creek Golf Club, Morgan Hill, Calif. (Instruction, Golf Operations* and Retail*) Joshua A. Wagaman, Kiawah Island Resort, Turtle Point, Kiawah Island, S.C. (Golf Operations, General Management and Instruction*) Glen A. Walden, Chappaqua, NY (Ownership/Leasing, Instruction* and General Management*) T. Wayne Watts, Golf Club at Cuscowilla, Eatonton, Ga. (Instruction)