PGA to deliver ASC Community Instructor Program

The collaboration between the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia has continued to develop, with the two organisations approving a new service agreement to support the delivery of the Community Golf Instructor Program within the framework of the Australian Sports Commission’s National Coaching Accreditation Scheme.The new agreement will see the PGA develop and deliver all forms of golf coach accreditation nationally, with the Community Golf Instructor Program now joining the Professional Golf Coach accreditation, which is linked directly to PGA Membership and completed via the PGA Trainee Program.Formally known as the Community Golf Coach Program, the PGA and Golf Australia have reviewed the accreditation structure to provide both improved accessibility and to better reflect the participation programs of the sport.Initial modules available include the MyGolf Club Program and the MyGolf Schools Program together with a specialised Teacher module for schools who wish to implement the MyGolf Schools Program.

“The PGA is pleased to continue its collaboration with Golf Australia to drive the development of golf at grassroots level,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA.

“All sports benefit from a valuable volunteer workforce to grow the game and we are confident that volunteer Community Golf Instructors will work alongside our PGA Professionals to assist with the effective delivery of various participation programs.”

“Additionally, we are pleased that the program will also incorporate golf instructor accreditation for school teachers, which will lead to an uptake of golf through the MyGolf Sporting Schools Program and improve links between schools and golf facilities.”

Training is designed to give instructors a thorough understanding of the program they wish to assist and volunteer with, and the skills required for successful delivery. The program will also make use of online learning for instructors via the PGA’s own e-learning platform, The Fairway.

Golf Australia Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Pitt, is pleased to see the continued collaboration and its benefit for golf.

“Golf Australia is delighted to have established a joint agreement with the PGA to develop a new e-learning instructor accreditation platform that fully aligns to our national participation programs to deliver real outcomes for our sport.”

“This is a great example of how as a sport we can work together in harnessing our resources for the benefit of golf as a whole.”

PGA Professionals will also benefit from the redevelopment of the program, with Community Instructors available to assist professional coaches with the delivery of participation programs at their club or facility.

In addition, modules and accreditation relating to the program will be embedded within both the PGA Trainee program and the PGA Accreditation and Continuing Education (ACE) Program.