Professional Golf Management Program (PGM) - Internship Policy & Procedure

The Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Professional Golf Management Program (PGM) is designed to prepare students for a career in the golf industry. The primary goals of EKU's PGM program are to graduate students and place qualified professionals into the golf market with skills necessary to achieve advanced acceleration in the golf industry.

The program coordinates student internships, which provide valuable hands-on learning experiences, and is a critical step toward achieving the goals of the program. In order to comply with the EKU and the PGA of America guidelines, PGM students will be required to complete three different types of internships (Private, Public, Resort) totaling 16 months of full time work.

It is important that the students follow the guidelines of this handbook in order to assure that all of the necessary documents and paperwork have been completed, and that all requirements are completed in the proper sequence. Students should use the Checklist for Completion of Documentation and Activities, as a guide to follow throughout the entire Internship procedure.

Students are required to comply with the criteria and guidelines that have been established for the development and operation of the program. Certain standards have been developed by Eastern Kentucky University Professional Golf Management and the PGA of America for the Internship Program.

The criteria are as follows:

Internships must follow the eligible employment guidelines outlined in the PGA Constitution.

Before placement, there must be an agreement stipulating the specific intern work experiences anticipated for each student. This educational agreement must be validated in writing by the host professional, EKU Internship Coordinator, and the student, prior to placement.

The Internship should occur at least three times at different types of facilities.

Students must complete a minimum of 16 months of fulltime Internships prior to completion of the PGM program.

EKU will conduct an evaluation of each Internship site prior to placement of students.

EKU requires each host On-Site Supervisor/PGA Professional to complete a detailed evaluation of each student's performance during the placement.

EKU requires that each student complete a detailed evaluation of the Internship site by the end of the internship.

The Internship Coordinator will conduct a mid-internship phone interview with both professional and student.

The Internship Coordinator will conduct a a meeting with the student to compare evaluations and take necessary remedial action to resolve any performance problems.

Negative site evaluations by students must be investigated prior to future placements. (See Disciplinary Procedures)

Student records must contain both host professional's evaluation of student and the student's evaluation of site.

Eastern Kentucky University will not place an Intern student who is not in good standing.

All students shall complete a post-internship interview on campus with the Internship Coordinator after each individual Internship has been completed. The interview will also consist of Academic and PGA advising.

PGM students must complete a series of Work Experience Activities for each respective level of Internship, in order to satisfy the PGA/PGM requirements. Students will be expected to acquire strong understanding of the defined PGA/PGM work experience activities and to make considerable efforts to obtain hands-on experience whenever possible during each Internship.

The PGA/PGM Checklist should be utilized by the student and the On-Site Supervisor/PGA Professional as a guide and reference for each respective Internship.

Evaluation Procedures

A series of evaluations will occur during and following each Internshp. Of utmost importance are the regular attendance and professional conduct from each student. Students are direct representatives of the Eastern Kentucky University Professional Golf Managment Program, and will be expected to maintain and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.

During the course of the internship, an effort should be made by the student, with the cooperation of the On-Site Supervisor and the PGM Internship Coordinator, to maintain a focus of completing the respective PGA/PGM work experience activitise.

The Student will be Evaluated by the On-Site Professional, and by the PGM Internship Coordinator, through Midterm and Final Evaluations. The Student will also be required to complete a Student Evaluation of Internship, Midterm Student Reporting Form, and a check-in phone interview. Students complete the evaluation process once they have successfully conducted an on campus post internship interview with the Internship Coordinator or PGM Director.

Disciplinary Steps for Early Release or Termination of Internship

The student must contact the Eastern Kentucky University Professional Golf Management Program within 24 hours of being released or terminated from their internship.

The Internship Coordinator will contact site supervisor/PGA Professional to evaluate the situation.

The student will be placed in another internship position by the Internship Coordinator or must return to EKU to enroll in classes.

The Internship Coordinator and PGM Director shall conduct an interview with the student to discuss any disciplinary actions or probation period.

If the student is found guilty of committing a crime against the internship establishment or its members, it will result in immediate dismissal from the EKU PGM Program.

If a student has committed a PGA Code of Ethics Violation while on coop, he/she will be placed on probation for a period to be determined by the PGM Director and Internship Coordinator. If the student commits surther Code of Ethics Violations during this time, the result will be dismissal from the PGM Program.