The Professional Golf Association of America (PGA) is one of the largest and most prestigious sports organizations in the world. The process of becoming a PGA member is no small feat in the golf community. Though the PGA allows up to nine years and most golf professionals average four years in completing the program, Lindsey Harrison, never one to shy from a challenge, completed the program after two years and was elected to the PGA’s membership this spring.
The process to become a PGA golf professional is challenging and statistics state the passing rate nationally among apprentices and students is less than 30 percent – with the average student passing after several attempts. This involves years of course work focusing on teaching, coaching, golf course management, executive management, food and beverage management and more. Candidates are tasked with completing a playing ability test, documenting lessons, bookwork, and multiple knowledge-based tests.
Harrison is an experienced ex-collegiate golfer who has multiple NCAA team collegiate wins (including a 2016 Sunbelt Conference Championship), multiple top fives and top tens in the Alabama Northwest Florida PGA Section Events, and is most known for making two hole-in-ones in a nine-hole span. Harrison joined the SRGBC team in fall of 2021 as the first assistant. In her role, Harrison helps manage the overall golf operations of SRGBC by providing lessons, managing the golf shop, organizing tournaments and supporting the director of golf.
Originally from Panama City Beach, Harrison has had a love for the sport of golf since the age of seven. Harrison competed at Troy University on the women’s golf team, where she graduated with a degree in hospitality, sport and tourism management and a minor in psychology. Coming out of college, Harrison began her Professional Golf Management (PGM) Certification and has worked at Bay Point Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Florida in addition to Vestavia Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. Her time at Vestavia allowed her to learn under some of the best instructors, junior golf programmers and club fitters in the southeast.
“Becoming a member of the PGA has been Lindsey’s goal since she began teaching and now that dream has become a reality,” said Zach Phillips, Director of Golf for SRGBC. “If you see Lindsey around our course, please congratulate our pro on this monumental accomplishment!”
As a member of the PGA of America, professionals can compete in tournaments with other PGA pros, receive playing perks, and Harrison’s favorite – tickets to the Masters.
