University of Wisconsin - Stout

Introduction

The Golf Enterprise Management (GEM) program is UW-Stout's response to golf industry encouragement to address their management needs. You'll receive a comprehensive education with courses in business, customer service, food and beverage and retail management, in addition to golf-specific content in customer development and retention, golf course design and turf management.

Interested?

While most golf management programs stress player aptitude, UW-Stout's Golf Enterprise Management degree has no player aptitude requirement. The program is focused on developing business management skills related to golf. The program is not about playing the game of golf, but rather about the business of golf.

The National Golf Course Owners Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse the development of this program -- the only endorsement of its kind ever conferred by the NGCOA. The NGCOA considered UW-Stout a perfect match for the program because of our hospitality programs, excellent customer service offerings, emphasis on applied learning and our distance learning capabilities.

The golf industry has seen many changes, but none will ultimately be as important to long-term success as the transition to golf as a business focused on the need for professionals with business acumen, and specifically a keen understanding of financials, marketing, economics and sales. At the same time, the tradition of golf must be maintained, with a strong focus on player development, agronomy and customer service at the forefront.

Preparing for UW-Stout

Prepare now for a career in Golf Enterprise Management. High school courses such as business and communication, as well as mathematics and human relation skills are recommended. Taking speech, marketing and computer classes will also help prepare you for this field of study.

Starting Out

Course work in your first semesters is a combination of general education and major foundation courses. General education courses include English composition, speech, mathematics and economics. As students progress the program draws from courses in business, retail, plant and earth sciences, industrial management and service management.

As You Progress

Golf management and related golf businesses are complex activities that require a broad array of skills and knowledge. Courses in your junior and senior year will be in the areas of food and beverage management, retail sales, service management, turf management, marketing and human resource management.

In addition, course managers must also understand the special needs for events management, such as tournaments, league play and golf outings. They must select and maintain the equipment and supplies to keep their courses in prime playing condition, and must market their courses effectively to create customer loyalty and recruit new customers.

With help from your program director, you will choose 29 elective credits to prepare for your specific career goals and objectives. You may decide to take a minor or specialization to fulfill the elective credits. Minors in areas such as business administration, human resource management, tourism, or Spanish create credentials to promote finding employment in the golf industry. Help with course and career choices is also available through the Advisement and Career Centers, the Counseling Center, and Career Services.

The program has a strong experiential component. You will complete two co-operative education or field experiences for a total of 800 hours. This practical experience will expose you to a broad variety of golf course operations and functions. The Career Services Office at UW-Stout and your program director will assist you with obtaining co-op education experiences in Golf Enterprise Management.

Entry Positions

The general outlook for the future of golf course businesses in the U.S. remains positive. There are over 16,000 golf courses in the U.S. alone. Minnesota and Wisconsin rank among the leading states in the country for numbers of holes per capita, numbers of players, and best courses. As a result, management careers in the golf industry are accessible and the salaries are attractive. Salaries do vary with location, experience and the type of golf facility, but annual salaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota for Assistant General Managers are $37,750 and for General Managers $56,700. Salaries in locations where golf courses are open throughout the year are higher.

In addition to careers in golf course management, graduates of the GEM program will be prepared for entry-level management within corporations that manage multiple courses, golf retail businesses, tourism businesses, and many other golf-related businesses.