From Eastern Kentucky University’s PGA Golf Management program founding in 2006, more than 150 Class A PGA Professionals are working across the country and making a difference in their communities through the game of golf.
The map below shows where each of our alumni are employed and represent the type of job opportunities that are available in the golf industry. These opportunities include: private and public golf courses, PGA Sections, First Tee Programs, manufacturing companies such as Acushnet, the PGA TOUR, Golf Coaches, and Golf Instructors.
EKU’S PGA Golf Management Alumni have been mentors and assets to our students. They have come on campus to speak, provided network opportunities, and employed students for internships.
If you are an alumni of the EKU PGA Golf Management program, please fill out this short online form to update your contact information or place of employment if applicable.
Alumni Testimonials
The PGA Golf Management program at EKU has more than 150 graduates working in the golf industry. Our staff values the relationships we maintain with graduates, far beyond their time on campus. Check out the statements below from alumni to see what sets EKU PGA Golf Management apart; but most importantly, how we can help your career!
Dustin Riggs, PGA
Class of 2012
Head Golf Professional
Country Club of Indianapolis – Indianapolis, IN
Hometown: Oxford, Ohio
Growing up, golf has always been a huge part of my life. I knew golf was in my future, but wasn’t quite sure how I was going to get there. Finding EKU and the PGM program, this really shaped my focus and helped me choose a career path that I love! The staff, other students, and future connections that come with the program continue to help me along my career path and future goals! I wouldn’t have done it any other way!
Ethan Fisher, PGA
Class of 2018
Director, Communications & Marketing
Kentucky PGA Section / Golf House Kentucky – Louisville, KY
Hometown: Centennial, Colorado
When I first stepped foot on EKU’s campus, I knew it was different from all other PGA Golf Management universities. The ensuing four years were some of the best I’ve ever had which molded me into the professional and person that I am today. I figured out where my niche in the golf industry was, met incredible people on-campus as well as through internships, and became a better golfer. I’ve said many times since I graduated in 2018 that attending EKU was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I’ll always be glad that I did. The staff at EKU knows how to bring out the best in you and will help you realize your dreams within the world of golf.
Kellon Newland, PGA
Class of 2010
Executive Director
Maryland State Golf Association – Lutherville, MD
Hometown: Grayson, Kentucky
EKU’s PGA Golf Management Program gave me the opportunity to build an incredible support of great mentors through my various internships, develop my golf skills to pass the PAT test, and ultimately put me in a position to be a successful PGA Professional. You have to be willing to put in the work, but the structure and resources that Kim Kincer and her team provide are second to none. If golf is your passion and you want to pursue a lifelong dream, give the Colonels a serious look.
Matt Frey, PGA
Class of 2010
Communications Director
Philadelphia PGA Section – Lower Gwynedd Township, PA
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Eastern Kentucky University’s PGA Golf Management program taught me how to become a well-rounded PGA Professional and a better person. The program’s faculty is dedicated to the educational and emotional development of their students, allowing future PGA Members to achieve their personal and professional goals. All of my successes in the industry can be traced back to EKU’s education, and the staff’s continued support will allow me to further my career going forward.
Craig Hicks, PGA
Class of 2016
Head Golf Professional
Hearthstone Country Club – Houston, TX
Hometown: Aylett, Virginia
From the moment I walked into the PGA Golf Management suite, I knew that was going to be my home for the next four years. The staff are still like family to this day and still help me with my career. It’s incredible to show up with some cart barn experience and leave capable of running a Country Club. I took my first Head Golf Pro job at 23 years old and that doesn’t happen often, but the folks at Eastern Kentucky help make that happen by preparing you for the industry. There are many programs out there and I looked at about half of them. The quality of education and student to teacher ratio make EKU stand above the rest. The golf industry really is a great place to work. You truly get to be around the game you love every single day. If I could go back and do it again I wouldn’t change a thing about my choice of profession and my PGA Golf Management Program at Eastern Kentucky University.
Joshua Wallin, PGA
Class of 2020
Assistant Golf Professional
University Club at Arlington – Richmond, KY
Hometown: Decatur, Alabama
As a high school student, I had no idea what my future looked like and my parents convinced me to go to college. But to be honest, it was the best decision I ever made. EKU is the school to go to for PGM, the atmosphere is great, you will create personal relationships with your teachers, and you will learn and grow. The friends that you make here will be there for you forever. The program makes you become a better golf professional due to the education, work experience, and the amount of opportunities EKU PGM offers you. The internships prepared me for the real world as they showed me the ins and outs of the golf club operation. I had no idea what I wanted to do but being in the golf business is awesome, you stay busy, you always have a friend to talk to, and you can always escape from the world and just go play a few holes.
Sam Schmitz, PGA
Class of 2018
Assistant Golf Professional
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club – Gainesville, VA
Hometown: Springfield, Virginia
Graduating with a degree in Marketing while also earning my Class A membership in the PGA of America has provided me with experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I have been fortunate enough to play some of the top golf courses in the country and meet some truly incredible people. During my time at EKU, I forged relationships with friends, professors, and advisors that I stay close with to this day. I chose EKU because of the excellent staff within the PGM department and the overall feel of the campus. From day one, I always felt like my best interests were a top priority for everyone at EKU. Additionally, the experienced staff and their networks have helped place me at some of the top clubs in the country. I certainly would not be where I am today without EKU PGM.
Whitney Deaton, PGA
Class of 2016
Assistant Golf Professional
University of Louisville Golf Club – Louisville, KY
Hometown: Nicholasville, Kentucky
I chose the PGM Program at EKU simply for the staff, they made me feel like a part of the family on my first initial visit. Throughout my college career they were always there for me when I needed any assistance and still reach out even after graduation. The experience in the classroom and internships were crucial in my development for my professional career – while getting a diversified background in the golf industry finding what I love to do most and focusing on those have helped mold me into the path that was best for me.
Micah Voorhis, PGA
Micah Voorhis, PGA
Class of 2015
Assistant Golf Professional
Olympia Fields Country Club – Olympia Fields, IL
Hometown: Tipton, Indiana
EKU PGM is just different. The combination of exceptional leadership, family like atmosphere, competitive tournament program, world class facilities, and high quality education makes EKU a must see for anyone looking to become a golf professional.
Angela Schmelzer, PGA
Class of 2011
National League Manager
PGA of America – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Hometown: Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Choosing the EKU/PGM program was a no-brainer for me. I love the game of golf and once EKU became accredited I knew exactly what I was going to do. Going through the program at EKU allowed me to become a part of something special and helped me tremendously in my career while making important connections across the industry. EKU is still one of the newer PGA/PGM programs that offer state-of-the-art facilities and awesome staff. The friendships you’ll make at EKU will stick with you for the rest of your life!
Trey Scott, PGA
Class of 2012
Area Sales Manager
GolfNow – EZLinks – Nicholasville, KY
Hometown: Paris, Kentucky
The education that I received from EKU and the PGA Golf Management program truly prepared me for the golf industry. The relationships that I built during my time at EKU were profound and still help me open doors to this day. I would certainly recommend EKU PGM to anyone looking to challenge themselves and work in a rewarding field. GO BIG E!
Brett Gerbec, PGA
Class of 2019
Assistant Golf Professional
Winged Foot Golf Club – Mamaroneck, NY
Hometown: Grafton, Ohio
EKU was a pretty simple choice for me compared to the other programs. The campus has grown immensely since I started as a student. The minute I stepped on campus, it felt like home. If it wasn’t for the PGA Golf Management program at EKU, I wouldn’t be where I am today, nor the person I’ve become. The PGM program at EKU gets you ready for whatever you may encounter as a PGA Professional. The networking that the program provides, as well as continued development that the staff promotes is a step above the rest. Getting into the golf industry and attending EKU was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Derek Tincher, PGA
Class of 2016
Director of Operations
Southern Ohio PGA Section – Fairborn, OH
Hometown: Springfield, Ohio
EKU gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the best PGA Professionals our industry has to offer. Throughout my time in the PGM program I was able to experience multiple career paths during my internships. Ultimately, EKU equipped me to pursue my career as a PGA Professional and I still use the staff as a resource to this day.
Ben Kroger, PGA
Class of 2015
Assistant Golf Professional
Camargo Club – Cincinnati, OH
Hometown: Cold Spring, Kentucky
EKU PGM has done wonders for my career as a golf professional and as a person. From the time I arrived on campus, the PGM staff treated me like family, which I believe sets EKU PGM apart from other programs. There are so many career options in the golf industry and EKU PGM will help you turn over every stone to help you find your fit in the business. From internships at top facilities around the country, to my current position as the 1st Assistant at The Camargo Club in Cincinnati, EKU PGM has had a helping hand in it all. I can’t thank EKU PGM enough for investing in me and countless other students who have come through this great program.
Distinguished Alumni
Jack Barber, PGA
PGA Retired Life Member
Eastern Kentucky University, ’72
EKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni 2011
Corey Stith
Head Golf Professional
Lakeside Golf Course
Lexington, Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University, ’11 Marketing/PGA Golf Management