Golf Industry Central Autumn 2014 | Page 6

Industry News PGA CELEBRATES PGAIGI EXPANSION A number of Life and Board Members of the PGA were among those on hand to usher in a new era for the PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) with the opening of its new Sydney campus. The PGA IGI’s new venue is at the prestigious and iconic International College of Management based in Manly. Those at the launch celebrated a new era for the PGA’s education external arm, that is increasing its international reputation for providing industry-specific education and training opportunities for current and future members of the golf industry. For the last 20 years the PGA IGI has been linked to the Gold Coast due to its association with Griffith University, however as the industry and career paths of the typical golf industry professional has changed so too has the skill sets needed to excel. With that in mind, the PGA has strategically partnered with the International College of Management in Sydney (ICMS) to keep the growth and education avenues open to students who might like to call Sydney home and continue to hone their games. Additionally, ICMS specialises in the fields of hospitality and hotel management which has become an increasingly important aspect of a club or resorts business operations. The PGA IGI in conjunction with ICMS now offers the same program and opportunities in Sydney to aspiring golfers to launch their careers by combining golf and study. Enrolled students will play, practice and compete at the Monash Country Club and complete their study at ICMS in the first year whilst with PGA IGI. Moving onward and upward academically via the institutions articulation agreement, students will then have the option to join ICMS’s Business School