2018 was a big year for the PGA Golf Management Program in terms of having a global impact. Through internship visits, research conferences and education abroad experiences, people tied to the program have made personal appearances in many states, as well as Canada, England, Scotland, Spain, France, and China. These personal interactions have proven to be vital in spreading awareness of the program across the planet and elevating the status of the program, the Center for Grassland Studies, CASNR and UNL.
With students interning across the US as well as in the UK (London) from January through December, a large focus has been placed on visiting those students to ensure that their experiences are as meaningful and beneficial as they can be. Scott Holly has traveled across Nebraska as well as the U.S., and recently visited interns in London, England. The students interning in the UK have been afforded opportunities to travel to Spain as well as the Ryder Cup in Paris, France!
Brad was able to be part of the World Scientific Congress of Golf, held in Abbotsford, BC, Canada. The Congress meets every two years, somewhere in the world to discuss the latest research that impacts the golf industry. Groundbreaking research was presented, as well as ideas and opportunities seeded for future research projects within the program involving students through UCARE.
Education abroad has become a major part of the program in recent years. August of 2018 saw the second set of students travel to Scotland to study the golf industry in the "Home of Golf." Two nights were spent in Edinburgh with students given the opportunity to take in the Fringe Festival and then the focus moved to St. Andrews where it’s all about golf and the golf industry. Steve North, Director of Instruction at the St. Andrews Links Trust, led a round-table type discussion about the industry and the operation at St. Andrews. All students were able to experience the Old Course as well. Though it did take spending at least one night outside (3 people spent two nights under the stars).
Upcoming on the education abroad front is a new possible opportunity in China. This will contrast nicely with Scotland as China is home to one of the youngest golf economies. PGA Golf Management will partner with the HRTM (Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management) program on a joint venture focused on the exploding tourism industry in the ancient country.
More details at: https://go.unl.edu/sibh