Re: Degree in PGM

I have a few friends that I played with in collage. They are now pro's one went through a PGM program through University of Idaho. It took him five years. The other one went to work as a level one pro in Oregon. The only diffrence between them now is that the one that went to Oregon was getting more hands on experiance. They are both level four now. I have been thinking of a carrere change myself and have been looking into SDGC it is only 16 months, but I need to play a bit so I can pass my players test. That is the most important thing. Pass the players test!!!
Good Luck.
p.s. The pay is not going to be a lot at first. You may need an evening job on the side.

Re: Degree in PGM

I am friends with a couple of pros & assistants. My perception is that it is a very tough way to earn a living and if you like playing golf, you won't play much. The pro doing the best financially has a position as head pro/course manager. He has an assistant pro and a greens keeper that reports to him. Because it is a muni golf course he gets city benefits which include health care and a 401K. Pulls down around $60K a year. He also keeps any "lesson revenue" he books. He works 7 days a week from February 1st through December 23d. He gets to the course at 5 a.m. and doesn't leave until the last cart is in at dusk. If he plays 5 rounds a season he's done well.

The assistants that I know pull down less than 30K per year and have no benefits at all. They work long hours, do everything from wiping dew off of carts to selling hot dogs, but do get to play some golf. The guys that I know get Mondays off during the season. They get laid off in December and are brought back in March. Because they are seasonal employees they can't draw unemployment.

Tough life, you really have to love being around the game/course. I would have a tough time watching my friends teeing off while I'm stuck in the pro shop working.

Re: Degree in PGM

yeah but you could be the next david leadbetter or something of the sort