PGA Golf Management Program | Ferris State University

Options: Bachelor's, Certificate

Locations: Main Campus

Build Your Career as a Golf Professional

The first program of its kind sanctioned by the PGA, the Ferris PGA Golf Management program will help you turn your passion into a profession. In our Bachelor of Science program, you will develop your expertise in every facet of golf, from the business of club management to the physics of ball flight and the biology of turfgrass. You will build your foundation side-by-side with our highly-experienced faculty members and refine your skills during five semesters of hands-on internships.

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Degrees

Faculty and Staff

Joe Hatch PGA

Director of PGA Golf Management Program

Joe Hatch, PGA was hired in the fall of 2022 at Ferris State University and is the Director of the illustrious PGA Golf Management Program. He is one of the instructors for PGA Teaching and Coaching and Facility Management classes as well.

Joe has a diverse professional experience.

Assistant Professional Chenequa Country Club
Head Professional who owned the merchandise concession at Stevens Point Country Club
Head Professional StoneWater Country Club
Sales Representative Club Car
Men’s Head Coach Davenport University

He is an alumnus of the PGA Golf Management program at Ferris State University. He was the recipient of the Player of the Year award in 2020 for the Western Michigan Chapter of the PGA. He also led Davenport University to a GLIAC championship in 2022. He was awarded the 2022 Coach of the Year.

Mark Wilson PGA

Player Development Director

Mark Wilson, PGA Master Professional, has been with the university for over a decade, and is the Player Development Director. He teaches PGA Teaching and Coaching and Facility Management classes at the University as well.

Prior to this, he served 31 years as the Head Golf Professional at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids.

He has officiated 66 Major Golf Championships, including 21 years at the Masters Tournament. In addition, he has worked 11 Ryder Cups and was the Chief Referee for the 2008 and 2016 Matches.

Wilson has served as Rules of Golf commentator for NBC and Golf Channel at the Ryder Cup and has done the same for CBS and TNT Sports at the PGA Championship.

He was the recipient of the 2008 National PGA Horton Smith Award for contributions to the PGA’s Education Program, and awarded the Golf Association of Michigan Distinguished Service Award in 2012. He is a member of Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, the Grand Rapids, MI Sports Hall of Fame, and is one of twelve original inductees to the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame. He is the winner of the 2023 Bill Strausbaugh Award.

Administrative Staff

Rhonda Sanders

Key Courses

PGMG 101

Orientation to Prof. Golf MGMT

PGMG 101 is the introductory course for all things professional golf management. You will learn about the history of the PGA, the official rules of golf, and see where the knowledge you learn from the program could take you.

PGMG 192

PGM Internship 1

Our program is unique in requiring five semesters of internships. This gives you the opportunity to work side-by-side with professionals in real-life scenarios and situations. As you progress through the program, you register for PGM Internships 1-5 (PGMG 192, 292, 392, 492, 493).

PGMG 210

Level 1 Facility Management

One aspect of the foundation of the PGM program is facility management. PGMG 210 is the first course you will take on this subject. You will learn about merchandising, tournament operations, business planning, and more. As you advance through the program, you will build your knowledge on facility management, taking levels 1-3 (PGMG 210, 310, 410).

PGMG 211

Level 1 Teaching & Coaching

Another integral area of study is teaching and coaching. You begin in PGMG 211 at level 1 and continue to level 2 and level 3 (PGMG 311, 411). Topics of these courses include teaching methodologies, physical performance and player development, all which will help you better understand the game of golf and become a successful golf instructor and professional.

Explore More Courses

First in the Nation

Beginning in 1975, Ferris' PGA Golf Management program was the first to be accredited by the PGA.

Being the original program, and one of only 18 total, will give you an advantage on your journey to becoming a golf professional.

PGA Golf Management

Dream Job Potential

Our students and alumni work at some of the most renowned courses in the country. You could complete one of your internships or advance your career at your dream course or club.

John's Island

John's Island Club

Benny Cook

PGM Program and Ferris Men's Golf team alumnus, Benny Cook, took his knowledge and skills to Florida where he is the assistant golf pro. Along with making his career at an exclusive club, he continues to make headlines for his talents as well.

Learn More About Benny

Pinehurst

Pinehurst Resort

Ryan Batcheller

Alumnus Ryan Batcheller started as an intern and turned that into his full-time career. He is now an assistant golf pro at Pinehurst, which has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments including the US Open, the PGA Championship, and the Ryder Cup.

Learn More About Pinehurst

Clubs and Courses across the Country

Students and alumni have interned, worked, and continue to build their careers at prominent clubs all over including Pebble Beach, Scottsdale National, Arcadia Bluffs and more.

Explore Opportunities

Driving Your Career Forward

The PGA Golf Management degree program is a part of the Ferris College of Business. The innovative curriculum offers a valuable Business Administration (BBA) degree and vast practical work experience. You will also complete the requirements for PGA of America Class A membership.

100% Job Placement

You will find opportunities at private country clubs, public golf courses, and resorts with golf industry partners across the country and abroad including:

Head Golf Professional
Director of Golf
General Manager
Golf Instructor

World-Class Facilities

As part of the PGA Golf Management program, you will utilize state-of-the-art facilities, learn from our expert faculty, and tap into our extensive network of alumni to help you land a hands-on internship and a top job in the industry, while acquiring a solid foundation of the theory, concepts and application of golf playing and golf management.

Katke Golf Course

Katke Golf Course ranks among the finest university owned golf courses in the United States. The course offers 21 holes of championship golf and renowned practice facilities. It is the learning lab and hub of the PGM Program.

More About Katke Golf Course

Golf and Learning Center

Located at Katke, the Ken Janke Sr. Golf and Learning Center features over 10,000 sq. ft. of the best technology for you to utilize. This includes 6 Trackman Simulators, made for year-round learning.

EXPLORE THE GOLF AND LEARNING CENTER

Michigan Golf Hall of Fame

Inside the Ken Janke Sr. Golf and Learning Center is the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, featuring the finest players and contributors to golf in Michigan.

More About the Michigan Hall of Fame

Expansive Alumni Network

As the first PGA Golf Management program in the nation, our alumni network is the largest and most expansive. There are over 2,000 alumni across the country eager to support you and your career in golf.

MORE ABOUT PGM ALUMNI

Advisory Board

The PGA Golf Management Advisory Board is a diverse group of industry professionals and experts that provide critical input that helps keep our students on the cutting-edge of the professional golf industry.

Meet Our Board Members

Jeremy Beck, PGA

Chief Operating Officer, GOLFTEC Headquarters

Chris Bigford, PGA

Assistant Director, Ferris PGA Golf Management

Cameron Duff, PGA

FootJoy/ Links & Kings Sales Representative - Metro Detroit

Joe Hatch, PGA

Program Director, Ferris PGA Golf Management

Kyle Horton, PGA

Director of Golf, Kalamazoo Country Club

Dave Kendall, PGA

Founder and Lead Coach, Kendall Academy of Golf

Kyle Martin, PGA

Head Golf Professional, The Fortress

Joe Sheren, PGA

Chief Golf Officer, Smart Golf Fitness

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence.