The TGI Golf Partnership, Europe’s leading golf retail services group, owned by PGA Professionals, has once again honoured the next generation of golf professionals.
Twenty-one Assistant Professionals from across the UK and Ireland have been rewarded for their hard work through the PGA’s three-year Foundation Degree course, each receiving a cash bonus from the TGI Golf Partnership.
Over the last five years the TGI Golf Partnership has awarded £35,000 to aspiring PGA Professionals through the awards as well as offering continued support to many who have since completed their qualifications.
Alistair Welsher, who was top of his class in the WestRegion for all three years of his course, and has just taken up his first Head Professional’s post at the historic Reigate Heath Golf Club, Surrey.
“I went into each year of the course knowing that if I put my heart and soul into it I would be rewarded,” said the 26-year-old. “That hard work paid off and having three TGI PGA Assistant of the Year awards to my name looks amazing on my CV – it has certainly helped me already as I secured a job much quicker than expected.”
Upon landing his first job as a Head Pro, Alastair wasted no time in repaying the TGI Golf Partnership for the rewards he received during his training and signed up to become a Partner.
“I spoke to a lot of people about the benefits of joining TGI Golf and no one had a bad word to say, whether they were Partners or Suppliers, everyone within the golf industry spoke very highly of the group,” he added. “The big thing for me is that we own the group and it is run for us, there is a real togetherness and all the Partners are happy to help each other.”
Eddie Reid, TGI Golf Partnership managing director, said: “We take great pride in supporting the PGA professional at every level from those like Alistair starting out in the role though to experienced Professionals like former PGA Captain Parnell Reilly – the TGI Golf Partnership is here to help them drive their business forward.
“These assistant professionals coming through the PGA’s excellent degree programme have shown great levels of skill already and will undoubtedly be successful PGA Professionals in the future. The TGI Golf Partnership is happy to give them a helping hand on the career ladder and drive their success both now and in the future.
“We have enjoyed a close working relationship with the PGA for a number of years now and have shared a number of successes together over that time. I’m sure we will continue to do so for many years.”
ThePGATrainingAcademyprogramme was founded 50 years ago and the development of the degree programme has expanded to concentrate on all aspects of golf including business and marketing, equipment technology and repairs, rules and tournament organisation, sports psychology and playing.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones, added: “TGI Golf Partnership has been a long-standing supporter of the PGA training programme and recognise the importance of the PGA qualification in helping members achieves success in the golf industry.
“We are delighted to continue our long association with the TGI Golf Partnership. The standard of golf professionals emerging from thePGAAcademyhas never been higher, that is why the support of TGI Golf is so valuable as it not only rewards them for their hard work during their training period but gives them a recognition that they thoroughly deserve and will stand them in good stead throughout their careers.”
TGI Golf Partnership www.tgigolf.com