The first set of role descriptors have been signed off and published by The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and the United Kingdom Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA) and are designed to assist golf facilities in securing the most suitable candidates for their needs.
It is hoped golf facilities, including clubs, resorts and driving ranges, will be able to utilise the sample role descriptors to draw up relevant job descriptions for any PGA professionals they engage in a range of positions.
In addition the launch of the descriptors will also serve to help PGA professionals identify skills and knowledge deemed most relevant across a number of roles or for a particular career in golf they are keen to pursue.
The six role descriptors are for:
- PGA assistant professional
- PGA club professional
- PGA golf manager/head professional
- PGA director of golf
- PGA academy manager and
- PGA teaching professional.
Leading golf bodies have welcomed the role descriptors and also reaffirmed the continuing important role played by PGA professionals in golf, from the running of golf clubs to coaching new generations of young golfers.
David Colclough, Head of Member Education for the PGA, said: “We are very pleased to have concluded this piece of work with UKGCOA, providing a set of descriptors that can help PGA professionals and employers of PGA professionals alike.
“We trust that this document will be used by golf facilities that see the wide-ranging benefits in working together with a PGA professional to achieve their targets for their own golf facility’s business.
“It also offers PGA professionals a view of the type of responsibilities that owners of golf clubs expect our members to undertake at a time when working together on a sound business footing has never been more important.”
Colin Mayes, Chairman of the UKGCOA added: “PGA professionals fulfil a very important role at all golf clubs in the UK, and the UKGCOA has been pleased to be able to assist the PGA in the development of these role descriptors, which we believe can help golf course owners (as employers of PGA professionals) best use the skills and talents of their PGA professional to the benefit of the golf club as a business and to golfers who visit the club, either as members or visitors.”
In early partnership work in Scotland, Andy Salmon, Scottish Golf Development Manager, has also acknowledged the potential for the resource, saying: “There is no question that our aims of increasing participation, supporting clubs and developing talent are all dependent on the positive involvement of PGA professionals.
“The role of the professional can go way beyond coaching and we welcome the development of Role Descriptors which will support employers in future in their efforts to recruit the right professional for their business objectives.”
Similarly,Paul Keeling, Club Services manager for England Golf said: “The landscape of golf has undoubtedly changed over the last few years and is backed up by golf club membership statistics.
“In a difficult climate England Golf and The Professional Golfers’ Association recognise that in order for both the club and PGA professionals businesses to succeed, a well-structured partnership is imperative! England Golf fully supports and recommends that our affiliate clubs use the PGA’s Role Descriptors guidance document when appraising and developing a good working relationship.”
Richard Dixon, Chief Executive of the Golf Union of Wales concluded: “In the current challenging economic climate it is more important than ever that golf clubs have a fit for purpose workforce.
“The Golf Union of Wales firmly believes that a PGA professional is an essential element of any successful club and that the introduction of Role Descriptors by the PGA will benefit employers enormously in helping them identify the right PGA Professional for their specific needs.”
The ‘PGA Role Descriptors’ document is available via the PGA website – www.PGA.info
The guide can be downloaded at the following direct link:
http://www.pga.info/CommunityServer/files/folders/3131/download.aspx