In 2022, the College of Business along with UCCS PGA Golf Management (PGM) commenced a pilot program, “Patriots to Pros.” The key concept for this program is to promote pathways to PGA membership for Active-Duty Military, Veterans, and their families.
In two short years, that small pilot program has grown exponentially. Now the program is funded by the Colorado Section PGA REACH grant and a private donor. This year, the UCCS PGA Golf Management team initially anticipated enrolling six students in the program. However, they are currently looking at 30 total enrolled students for Patriots to Pros Bootcamp.
At Patriots to Pros Bootcamp, participants learn what a career in golf can offer from industry leaders in the PGA, conduct club fitting seminars, and learn the basics of providing lessons. A Colorado PGA Career Counselor will be on site as well to assist with employment opportunities. This year’s bootcamp will be held on campus at UCCS, as well as at the Country Club of Colorado.
“As a veteran myself, I’m honored to see this program take off like it has,” said Principal Program and Internship Coordinator of PGA Golf Management Jon Husby. “Transitioning military members and veterans are often tasked with the unique challenge of looking for a new opportunity that they truly enjoy— many of whom are further along in life than the traditional high school graduate or college student. Patriots to Pros seeks to meet this challenge and empower this diverse group of individuals into achieving a rewarding career in golf.”
U.S. Army veteran and Patriots to Pros student Kyle Colledge, further shares the direct impact of this program: “These gentlemen and the team they assembled truly embody the PGA of America’s mission. At no point was the course overwhelming, only welcoming. Jon and Mark’s ability to make you feel like you were already amongst the family of the PGA was second to none. This program is exactly what is needed to bring in the next generation of PGA Professionals and continue to vitalize the growth and health of the PGA of America.”
The UCCS PGA Golf Management team is grateful to see such growth in this program, thanks in part to the PGA REACH grant and the support of dedicated donors and community. Looking ahead, they hope to expand the program by offering additional bootcamps in summer 2025 to even more interested military and veteran participants.
Those interested in participating in Patriots to Pros can reach out to Jon Husby at [email protected]. For those wanting to support this program and/or others like it, please contact [email protected] or visit their website.
About UCCS PGA Golf Management
The UCCS PGA Golf Management program was founded in 2003 and works directly with the PGA of America to deliver specialized curriculum to prepare students for careers in the golf industry. Students pass through a series of PGA courses and apply their knowledge directly to the industry through internship experience and training, culminating in eligibility for membership into the PGA of America as a PGA Golf Professional upon graduation. For more information, visit uccs.edu/pgm.
The UCCS College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,300 undergraduates and 350 MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Executive Doctor of Business Administration degrees. More than 10,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. For more information, visit uccs.edu/business.