F E AT U R E coaching videos, to the ‘Click and Collect’ services which now seem to be commonplace in all areas of our lives. I predict that technology will only increase in its importance and that more and more Members will embrace those skills and its benefits. Social Media has been the other ‘story’ of the pandemic. Never before has the ability to reach people become so important- and influential. Whatever its negatives, they are far outweighed by the benefits and time and time again we see PGA Professionals at their most creative in keeping in touch with members, encouraging and supporting new golfers and generally promoting the game. The PGA itself has pivoted in its role to become a proactive supporter of the Members rather than perhaps the reactive Association of recent years. The pandemic has taught us- if we needed to be taught- that the pace of change moves quickly. The foundations are in place to allow us to adapt to
change as it comes and equip our Members with the skills to do the same. At the end of the year I hope we can look back and say that 2021 was the year of The PGA Professional. One where we firmly established the role of the Member in the growing the game, retaining golfers, and delivering the customer service- work we have been doing for so long and now has a well-deserved spotlight. My second prediction is that golf will finally embrace the importance of truly welcoming women and families to the sport, not just in words but in actions. We can no longer pay lip service to this market and if the future of the sport is to grow and thrive then this challenge needs to be met. The work already being done by thousands of PGA Professionals will continue and I am hopeful will be rightly recognised and supported.
TRISTAN CREW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- MEMBERSHIP, THE PGA 2021 will be a significant year for the Association and its Members. As we put the events of the last 12 months behind us, the work that we have done over the last 18 months to develop the new member categories and position the PGA Member as a specialist in their field could not have been better timed. More than 400 members have already recognised the value in adopting a new category and the use of the PGA brand. While Members have been applauded for their ability to turn their hand to many roles over the last 12 months, there is also an increasing
demand for ‘experts’ in their field. We are now beginning to answer that call with a clear and defined pathway for Members, with the end goal of demonstrating to both employers and consumers that their skills and knowledge make them that expert. Supported by increasing education opportunities, whether PGA Manager, PGA Coach or traditional PGA Professional, the role will only be enhanced in the eyes of the industry at large.
PAUL WISEMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- EDUCATION, THE PGA
As we step up our education offering to PGA Professionals through our new CPD Platform, PGA Learn, this will be the year that PGA Members take full control of their career pathway. The last 12 months have seen many of us operating in a vacuum, starved of professional impetus and lacking in the ability to move forwards. But it has given time for reflection and we are seeing an increasing demand within society for specialisation
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and highly skilled workforces in all sectors. Golf is no exception. Demands of employers and consumers – especially the new generation of golfers- are changing at a rapid pace. By completely revamping our professional education offer and providing it in a an easy to use, attractive digital environment, I predict 2021 is the year that PGA Members fully embrace the importance of learning, sharing best practice and continually developing their skills.
February 2021
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