THE WAY TOWARDS PGA QUALIFICATION

06/08/2012

Henning Schulze Doering, Royal Malta’s resident professional, and his assistant Greg Sleath joined other students from from Estonia, Hungary, Israel and Greece to attend two residential sessions (both in Holland), took part in six virtual meetings, completed nine assignments, constructed a portfolio of evidence, undertook practical assessment and were interviewed in a process to take their first steps on a structured career path towards full PGA qualification thanks to the PGAs of Europe's INITIAL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (IPE) initiative.

IPE is available to all member countries that do not operate PGAs of Europe recognised professional education. The pilot programme was put into operation during the autumn of 2011 and the wisdom of IPE, shaped under the general umbrella of the PGAs of Europe's Education Committee's recognition guidelines, was confirmed as ideal to fill the need for which it was created.

As Tony Bennett, PGAs of Europe's Director of Education explained: "The concept for IPE was born at our Heads of Training Summit in Lisbon in 2008 where it became clear that we should support the development of a first steps professional education programme. As a result we formulated a three-month IPE programme that gives all PGAs access to an introductory level of coach training while touching on issues around developing both the sport and the industry."

The ability to provide indigenous, appropriately trained golf professionals can really help to develop the sport especially now that Golf has reached Olympic status. An appropriately trained workforce of golf professionals also sends a positive message to the national federation who often need help in their efforts to develop the sport, attract newcomers and discover talented players. The Ryder Cup European Development Trust has been very supportive throughout the development of the programme and this support is continuing in to the first full year of implementation.

So with the introduction of IPE, the education of golf professionals in emerging markets has climbed the first rung on what has been described as 'the education ladder that never ends...'

From here we wish Henning and Greg every success in their career pathway.

Courtesy of the PGA’s of Europe