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PGA of America Member Employment/Classification Details
PGA of America Member Employment/Classification Details
Dani Palmer avatar
Written by Dani Palmer
Updated this week

Classification

Description

Member: A-1
Associate: B-1

Head Professional at a PGA Recognized Golf Course

The term “Head Golf Professional” shall refer to an individual whose primary employment is: the ownership and operation of a golf shop at a PGA Recognized Golf Facility; or the supervision and direction of the golf shop and supervision of teaching at a “PGA Recognized Golf Facility.”

Member: A-2
Associate: B-2

Head Professional at a PGA Recognized Golf Range

The term “Head Golf Professional” shall refer to an individual whose primary employment is: the ownership and operation of a golf shop at a PGA Recognized Golf Facility; or the supervision and direction of the golf shop and supervision of teaching at a “PGA Recognized Golf Facility.”

Member: A-3
Associate: Not Applicable

PGA Members who are exempt players on Tours approved by the PGA of America Board of Directors

Member: A-4
Associate: B-4

Director of Golf at PGA Recognized Golf Facilities

The term “Director of Golf” shall refer to an individual who directs the total golf operation of a PGA Recognized Golf Facility, including the golf shop, golf range, golf car operations (if applicable) and supervision of the Head Golf Professional.

Member: A-5
Associate: Not Applicable

Past Presidents of the Association

Member: A-6
Associate: B-6

Golf Instructor at a PGA Recognized Facility

PGA Members employed as golf instructors, golf teachers, or golf coaches, including both in-person and online.

Member: A-7
Associate: B-7

Employed in Senior Leadership Roles Within a PGA Recognized Golf Facility

PGA Members primarily employed in senior leadership roles within a PGA Recognized Golf Facility: Membership and Event Sales, Membership Director, Finance/Accounting, and Assistant General Managers/General Managers In-Training.

Member: A-8
Associate: B-8

Assistant Golf Professional at a PGA Recognized Facility

The term “Assistant Golf Professional” shall refer to an individual who is primarily employed at a PGA Recognized Golf Facility and spends at least 50% of the time working on club repair, merchandising, handicapping records, inventory control, bookkeeping and tournament.

Member: A-9
Associate: B-9

Employed in Professional Positions in Management, Development, Ownership Operation and/or Financing of Facilities

Individuals who are employed in professional positions in management, development, ownership, operation and/or financing of facilities. (Employment at more than two facilities: Individuals who are involved in the management of more than two facilities, regardless of positions, titles or responsibilities shall be classified A-9 or B-9.)

Member: A-10
Associate: B-10

Golf Clinician

The term “Golf Clinician” shall refer to an individual whose main source of income is golf shows or clinics.

Member: A-11
Associate: B-11

Golf Administrator

Individuals who are employed by the Association, a Section or the PGA Tour in an administrative capacity and individuals who are employed full-time as employees of golf associations recognized by the Board of Directors.

Member: A-12
Associate: B-12

College or University Golf Coach

Individuals who are employed as golf coaches at accredited colleges, universities and junior colleges.

Member: A-13
Associate: B-13

General Manager

Individuals who are employed as General Managers/Directors of Club Operations who have successfully completed the requirements set forth by the PGA Board of Directors. (General Managers/Directors of Club Operations shall manage the entire golf facility including golf operations, golf course maintenance, club house administration, food and beverage operation and other recreational activities at the facility.)

Member: A-14
Associate: B-14

Director of Instruction at a PGA Recognized Facility

PGA Members who are employed as Director of Instruction who is managing, supervising and directing the total teaching program, whether in-person or online, and individuals who instruct PGA Professionals how to teach/coach.

Member: A-15
Associate: B-15

Ownership or Management of a Retail Golf Facility

Individuals whose primary employment is ownership or management of golf products or services at a “PGA Recognized Retail Facility” provided such employment specifically excludes primary employment as a clerk.

Member: A-16
Associate: B-16

Golf Course Architect

Individuals who are primarily employed in the design of golf courses as architects or individuals who are primarily employed in an ownership or management capacity as golf course builders.

Member: A-17
Associate: B-17

Golf Course Superintendent

Individuals primarily employed in the management of all activities in relation to maintenance, operation and management of a golf course. Individuals in this classification are required to satisfy the criteria of either a Golf Course Superintendent or Assistant Golf Course Superintendent as defined by the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America.

Member: A-18
Associate: B-18

Golf Media

Individuals primarily employed in the reporting, editing, writing or publishing of golf-related publications in any form of media (inclusive of, but not necessarily limited to, newspapers, magazines, the Internet) or in the broadcasting or commentating about golf events on network television, cable networks, the Internet or any other form of related media.

Member: A-19
Associate: B-19

Golf Manufacturer Management

Individuals primarily employed in an executive, administrative or supervisory position with a golf industry manufacturer or golf industry distributor.

Regulation: The A-19/B-19 classification may include individuals primarily employed in an executive, administrative or supervisory position with a golf industry company that provides direct consumer distribution of golf goods or services that benefit PGA Members and/or PGA Member affiliated facilities.

Member: A-20
Associate: B-20

Golf Manufacturer Sales Representative

Individuals primarily employed by one or more golf manufacturing or distributing companies involved in the wholesale sales and distribution of golf merchandise or golf-related supplies to golf facilities, retail stores or any other golf outlets.

Regulation: The A-20/B-20 classification may include individuals primarily employed by a golf manufacturing or distributing company that provides direct consumer distribution of golf goods or services that benefit PGA Members and/or PGA Member affiliated facilities.

Member: A-21
Associate: B-21

Tournament Coordinator/Director for Organizations, Businesses or Associations

Individuals primarily employed in the coordination, planning and implementation of golf events for organizations, businesses, or associations.

Member: A-22
Associate: B-22

Rules Official

Individuals primarily employed in the provision of services as a rules official for recognized golf associations, recognized golf tours or recognized golf events.

Member: A-23
Associate: B-23

Club Fitting/Club Repair

Individuals primarily employed in the business of club fitting must use a recognized fitting system or a comparable system, must have all the necessary equipment normally associated with club fitting and must have access to a PGA Recognized Golf Range or a range at a PGA Recognized Golf Course to monitor ball flight. Individuals primarily employed in club repair must have an established place of business with all necessary equipment normally associated with club repair, or must service one or more golf tours or series of golf events.

Member: A-24
Associate: B-24

PGA Members primarily employed within the golf industry who are not eligible for another Active classification.

In order to be eligible to transfer to the A-24 / B-24 classification, the following criteria must be met:

The PGA Member must be primarily employed in the golf industry, or have employment duties requiring the expertise of a PGA Member that prove vital to providing a golf related service. For purposes of the regulation, the term “Golf Industry” is defined as a business that provides primarily golf-related products or golf-related services to consumers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, PGA affiliated facilities or others.

Member: A-25

Current or Past Presidents, Chairs or CEOs who are member professionals of PGA RECOGNIZED PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATIONS approved by the PGA of America for Reciprocity and ratified by the PGA Board of Directors.

A-25 Regulation:

PGA Board of Directors shall establish guidelines over (i) the process for determining timing of eligibility, (ii) eligible positions (i.e., applicable “Recognized PGAs” and the relevant positions from such entities), (iii) the election ratification process, and (iv) a potential removal process through the A-25 Regulation.

Associate: B-25

Associates who have completed all education requirements, earned the 28 experience credits and only lack fully passing the PAT, have the option to transfer to the B-25 Associate status. An Associate classified as B-25, must meet the Member PDR requirement, pay the standard Associate National, Section dues and other fees, and will have the standard Associate rights and privileges.

Member: Reserve
Associate: Not Applicable

Not eligible for classification as Active, Life Member or Retired Member.

Member: LM/LMM
Associate: Not Applicable

Life Member-Retired, defined as Members who have held a minimum of 20 years in an Active Classification (whether continuous or not) and who do not otherwise, based on current employment status, qualify for an Active Classification.

Member: LMA/LMMA
Associate: Not Applicable

Life Member-Active, defined as Members who have held a minimum of 20 years in an Active Classification (whether continuous or not), have completed the entrance education as defined in ARTICLE IV, Section 1. Election Requirements, and who do not otherwise, based on current employment status, qualify for an Active Classification.

Member: LMC
Associate: Not Applicable

Not eligible for classification as Active**, Life Member or Retired Member.

Life Member Century are Life Members who are fully retired, are no longer active in the Association in any manner and have achieved a minimum age of 75 years and a minimum of 25 years of Active classifications. This is a one-time only permanent transfer into Life Member Century.

Member: RM
Associate: Not Applicable

Retired Members are retired and have achieved a total of 65 years or more for age and years of Active classifications and who are not eligible for another classification.

Member: F
Associate: Not Applicable

Failure to meet the requirements of the Professional Development Program.

“PGA Recognized Golf Course”

Refers to a golf facility which has at least nine (9) holes. Each hole shall have a minimum hole length of 60 yards and have a total yardage of not less than 1,000 yards for nine (9) holes or 1,500 yards for 18 holes. The golf facility shall have at least 14 acres in total course area, exclusive of clubhouse, golf shop and parking areas, and be entirely planted in grass (except for artificial tee mats).

“PGA Recognized Golf Range”

Refer to a golf range which has a minimum of 15 tees, 150 feet of teeing area, and a depth of at least 600 feet. The range shall have adequate parking facilities allowing at least one parking place for each tee and a building adequate to properly handle the administrative requirements of a PGA Recognized Range. A Professional shall be available for private and group instruction.

“PGA Recognized Golf School”

Refers to a golf school recognized by the Board of Directors, which promotes the game of golf, has an official name and written materials to describe its programs, and conducts its programs at PGA Recognized Golf Facilities, which can sufficiently handle classes to teach the game of golf.

“PGA Recognized Indoor Golf Facility”

An indoor golf facility refers to an indoor facility approved by the Board of Directors, offers and conducts golf instruction, is fully equipped to teach golf and is large enough to sufficiently handle golf instruction.

“PGA Recognized Retail Facility”

Defined as either a stand-alone retail golf specialty store or as sporting goods stores with golf departments similar in size and merchandise inventory to a stand alone golf shop.

“PGA Recognized Golf Association”

Refers to an organization recognized by the Board of Directors. They shall promote the game of golf, have tax exempt status and operate from a place of business. To verify that these guidelines are satisfied, the organizations may be required to provide tax records, job descriptions, mission statements, business plans, organizational charts and/or other information the Association deems necessary.

The term “PGA Recognized Professional Golf Association” shall refer to International Association of Golf Professionals recognized by the Board of Directors.

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