A golf industry management professional wearing a dark blue golf shirt with a golf club over their shoulder, smiling on a golf course

Tee up your career in golf management

Golf Industry Management Ontario College Diploma program

Develop your passion for golf. Get hands-on experience in both golf operations and business fundamentals with paid co-op and field trips. Build your network and more!

Program code GLFI
Duration 2 Years
Credential Ontario College Diploma
Program Delivery Full-time +
Part-time
Program delivery method(s) In person What does this mean?

Program information

Program description

This program is designed to prepare students for exciting employment opportunities in the $15 billion Canadian golf industry, both on the golf course and off. Theoretical concepts taught in the classroom are blended with practical learning opportunities gained through exposure to various golf facilities. At the golf course level, students examine the many aspects of golf operations such as agronomy, hospitality, retail and golf event planning. Away from the golf course, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of career paths at facilities that support the game. Students gain professional and managerial skills for industry and self-employment, as well as practical experience through participation in a work term and extensive field trips to golf courses and golf industry properties

Intake information

Start dateCampus
Fall 2024 Barrie

Tuition and fees

Work-integrated learning

What are the admission requirements for the Golf Industry Management program?

Golf Industry Management admission requirements

OSSD or equivalent with

  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Pathways

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Why study Golf Industry Management at Georgian?

MORE than a game. A career.

Turn your passion into a career with Central Ontario’s only two-year Golf Industry Management diploma program! Our unique curriculum and co-op experience will prepare you for a successful career in the diverse and competitive Canadian golf industry.

Graduate job-ready

  • Graduate as a golf industry professional in just two years!
  • Gain exposure to a variety of career opportunities in the golf industry.
  • Develop knowledge and skills that support a managerial career path.

Paid co-op work term

  • Build on-the-job experience through a paid co-op work term with the best in the golf industry.
  • Improve your employability and gain employer connections before you graduate.

Expert faculty

  • Learn from passionate, knowledgeable faculty.
  • Courses are taught by experts who possess a wealth of industry experience and an extensive personal golf industry network.

Field trips, workshops and industry certifications

  • Participate in multiple field trips to golf courses and various golf businesses.
  • Attend a variety of golf association workshops and education sessions.
  • Obtain resumé-boosting industry certifications through course work.

Playing privileges

  • Learn and play in the heart of golf country!
  • Georgian has strong relationships at many local golf courses.
  • Enjoy complimentary or discounted green fees to take your golf game to the next level!

Networking opportunities

  • Learn from, and network with, leaders in the golf industry.
  • Benefit from extensive networking and mentorship opportunities with all the major golf associations and their membership.
A white golf ball next to a hole on the golf course during a sunny day
A group of people smiling with golf club bags over their shoulders on the gold course on a summer day
Two people golfing at Braestone Club in Orillia on a sunny fall day

Learning spaces

a female student practising in Georgian's instructional golf lab

State-of-the-art indoor golf instructional lab

Hone your skills inside the Georgian Golf Lab!

The lab includes:

  • two hitting bays, a putting green, and numerous pieces of golf technology
  • trackman unit with E6 software in one hitting bay, an HD Golf simulator in the other hitting bay, and a Quintic Ball Roll putting analysis system on the putting green
  • club-fitting systems, numerous golf swing training aids, and a library of golf-focused books

What career paths can I take in golf course operations?

Your Golf Industry Management diploma gives you many career opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared for a competitive employment environment and are equipped with the necessary competencies to achieve employment in a variety of positions. Positions may include but are not limited to Golf Professional, Pro Shop Manager, Retail Manager, and Equipment Sales Representative. Graduates are prepared for a career progression in a variety of on-course and off-course golf industry pathways. Examples include:

On-Course – Director of Golf / Head Professional, Golf Instructor, General Manager, Clubhouse Manager, Course Superintendent, and Food and Beverage Manager

Off-Course – Golf Equipment Sales and Management, Golf Technology, Retail Management, Entrepreneurship, and a wide range of opportunities that are within and support the golf industry    

Potential employers:

  • Public, private, and semi-private golf courses
  • Associations
  • Equipment manufacturers and suppliers
  • Golf retailers
  • Instruction and coaching facilities
  • Club fitters
  • Hotels and resorts
General manager of a golf course with glasses and brown, curly hair holding a binder while leaning against a red and black golf cart
A group of four people sitting at a table overlooking a golf course at Braestone Club in Orillia

Flex MORE. Study Golf Industry Management part-time

Benefits of studying part-time:

  • Register on a course-by-course basis, paying as you go!
  • MORE choices. We are always adding more flexible delivery programs and courses.
Mike Kelly
To me, it really comes down to finding out what your passion is. At Georgian, I was able to discover that passion and this just doesn’t feel like working. It’s really a dream job.Mike Kelly, Executive Director, Golf Ontario (class of 2003)

Industry support

Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Canada

Georgian’s Golf Industry Management program is recognized by the PGA of Canada.

Students in the program are eligible to receive equivalencies for a number of courses within the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Canada Training Academy.

A grade of 70 per cent or higher in each course is required.

Full details can be found on the PGA of Canada website.

PGA of Canada logo

Other industry connections

The Golf Industry Management program is also connected with all of the golf industry’s major associations, including:

*HIDDEN SECTION*

Questions about day-to-day life in the program?

Connect with Tim Zado, Program Coordinator

Do you have questions about the Golf Industry Management program at Georgian?

Want to learn more about program courses, co-op, career opportunities in the golf industry and more?

Reach out to Tim Zado via email, or call 249.388.0806.

Tim Zado, Program Coordinator, Golf Industry Management, Georgian College

What courses are included in the Golf Industry Management diploma program?

Course overview

19 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
1 Co-op Work Term

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Golf Industry Management program outline.

  • COMP 1058 – Technology in Administration
  • GOLF 1003 – Golf Industry Networking
  • GOLF 2001 – Golf Skills Development 1
  • GOLF 2003 – Introduction to the Golf Industry
  • Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
  • Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.

Your course delivery method(s)

In person

This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.

Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What type of co-op experience can I expect in this program?Georgian College Chevron

The Golf Industry Management program includes one co-op work term. Georgian has a strong network of co-op locations at all the top golf courses and golf businesses throughout Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. 

We can help you land a co-op job at your local hometown golf course, or a dream co-op at locations such as Banff Springs, Cabot Links, or St. George’s Golf and Country Club.

In Canada, we have had students work from Vancouver to Nova Scotia and everywhere in between. Internationally, students have worked throughout the United States and overseas in Scotland. The sky is the limit!

Will I get paid for my co-op?Georgian College Chevron

Yes, co-op work terms are paid.

The idea behind co-op is to give students the opportunity to gain real-life work experience in their industry. We expect students to be treated like any other employee at the company. Learn more about co-op at Georgian.

When will my co-op work term take place?Georgian College Chevron

In the Golf Industry Management program, the co-op semester is the summer after your first year of studies. It runs from late April to the end of August.

Rather than rush back to school for September, the fall semester following co-op (semester three) is offered online, allowing you to continue working until the end of the golf season. This semester starts at the beginning of September, but is delivered in a way that allows you to both continue your employment while simultaneously progressing through your semester studies. Faculty has designed this semester as a unique learning opportunity.

I want to work in the golf industry, but not at a golf course. Is this program a good fit for me?Georgian College Chevron

Yes! The program is designed to prepare you for a career in multiple facets of the golf industry.

Although most of our grads choose to work at golf courses, many pursue off-course industry positions. Examples include working at Golf Town (the largest specialty golf retailer in Canada), and as sales representatives, club fitters, and in administration roles at equipment manufacturers.

I want to be a golf professional. Does this program work with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Canada?Georgian College Chevron

Yes! Students in Georgian’s Golf Industry Management diploma program are eligible to receive equivalencies for a number of courses within the PGA of Canada Training Academy. Full details can be found on the PGA of Canada website.

Please note, although the program provides many course credits in the PGA Training Academy, a number of additional credits are required to obtain class A status.

If one day I realize I don’t want to work in the golf industry, is this diploma transferrable to other industries?Georgian College Chevron

Absolutely! Although focused for those working towards a future career in the golf industry, the Golf Industry Management curriculum includes many general business courses that can be used in careers outside of golf.

The program includes universal courses such as Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Business Technology, Customer Service, Leadership, Sales, Event Management, Human Resource Management, Communications, Networking, Management Principles, and Governance. These are all valuable courses and the skills and knowledge you gain can be used in any career path.      

Do I need to be a great golfer to succeed in this program?Georgian College Chevron

No. Although the majority of students join our Golf Industry Management program because they’re avid golfers, we often welcome students with no golf experience at all. In fact, some of our most successful graduates were not the best golfers!

Regardless of skill level, a keen interest in the game is important, as the program content assumes some basic knowledge of the game.

We often find that the experienced and better golfers, quickly connect with the those somewhat new to the game and help them along.

What’s included in the golf lab?Georgian College Chevron

Students in our Golf Industry Management diploma program hone their skills in our state-of-the-art indoor golf instructional lab.

Two hitting bays, a putting green, Trackman, E6, HD Golf, Quintic Ball Roll, club fitting systems and a golf library are what you will find inside the golf lab.

The golf lab is run by our students – and they’re paid to do so!

Are there any awards or scholarships available?Georgian College Chevron

Yes. More than $3 million in bursaries and scholarships are available to Georgian students each year to help pay the way to graduation.

This includes general awards open to all Georgian students, as well as program-specific awards for Golf Industry Management students. You can afford this!

Can I play on the golf team at Georgian?Georgian College Chevron

Georgian has both a men’s and women’s varsity golf team. Tryouts are held at the beginning of fall semester. Both teams have been very successful over the years.

Do students in this program enjoy free golf?Georgian College Chevron

We have relationships at a number of Barrie area golf courses. Depending on the facility, you’ll be offered either free green fees, or green fees at a significant discount. Get ready to bring your golf skills up to par!

Do you have questions about Golf Industry Management? Contact us!

Thinking about applying to Georgian?

Contact our student recruitment team to explore your study options.

Already applied to Georgian?

Connect with the Office of the Registrar for admissions-related questions.

Are you an international student?

Contact our international recruitment team to learn more about studying at Georgian. 

Have questions about the program?

Contact the program co-ordinator for any questions about day-to-day life in the program.

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