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Meet the Member: Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA
Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA – Make your Passion your Career!
Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA has been at the helm of the Sam Houston State PGA Golf Management Program since its establishment in 2005. Texas is one of the 18 states that provides the Professional Golf Management Program to students who are passionate about having a successful career in golf.
After graduating from the Ferris State University PGA Golf Management Program, he got his first job as an Assistant Golf Professional in the Carolinas Section. He worked his way up to Head Professional with the responsibility of opening two new facilities. When the opportunity came for him to work at Coastal Carolina University’s PGA Golf Management Program as their Internship Coordinator, he was eager to take on the new role since he went through the program previously. After a couple of years, he found his way to Texas for the role at Sam Houston State University and has been here for 19 years.
“When the opportunity came for me to get involved with the program it was a great fit for me because I was proud to be a graduate and how it had altered the course of my life,” said Ballinger.
The PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University allows students to earn a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in PGA Golf Management, and you will be directly elected by the PGA of America as Class “A” Member upon graduation. Throughout the four years, students are required to go out into the golf industry and do 16 months of internship work.
Dr. Ballinger said, “It’s an opportunity to make your passion your career, an opportunity to get your college business degree and pursue PGA Membership at the same time. It’s fantastic!”
SHSU Alumni Jesse Campbell, PGA aspired to pursue a career in golf but didn’t know how to make that possible until he encountered the PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University.
“When I was trying to figure out how to pursue my career, I came across the Golf Management Program at Sam Houston,” Campbell stated. Campbell is currently the Head Professional at BlackHorse Golf Club in Cypress, TX. “After I met with Dr. Ballinger, I knew it was going to be a great fit for me and it has led me down the avenues I’m at today.”
In the golf industry, opportunities vary from traditional roles such as Head Professional, Teaching Professional, and General Manager at green grass facilities to administrative and director positions at allied associations. The purpose of this program is to allow students to try different areas of golf, get educated in the PGA Education Program, and then network with people across the country to then decide on the correct career path within the industry.
“Rich is an advocate of experiencing different styles of jobs in the golf industry as well as different regions in the country,” said SHSU Alumni Colton Escamilla, PGA. “I think that is key to figuring out what you want to do in the golf business, especially if you are going through the program rather than perusing PGA Membership on your own.” Escamilla is currently serving as Co-Head Professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, TX.
The PGA Golf Management program takes pride in the 100 percent job placement opportunities their students receive after graduation. In addition, 80 percent of their students are elected to Membership in either the Southern or Northern Sections of Texas.
“We are proud of the fact that our program is in Texas and a program that primarily produces PGA of America Professionals for the state of Texas,” Dr. Ballinger commented.
Not only are students receiving their Class-A Membership, but they can have a college experience. SHSU Alumni Beau Davidson, PGA encourages students to be involved on campus.
“You not only go to campus to learn, but there's actual activities for you and your friends to go do,” Davidson said. Davidson is serving as Assistant Professional at BraeBurn Country Club in Houston, TX. “They introduced the Cat Club when I was there. It's an arcade room for students with a bowling alley which gives you plenty of opportunities to take advantage of.”
“I am an alumni of the STPGA Junior Golf Program as well as the SHSU PGA Golf Management Program”, said Scott Archer, PGA, current Assistant Executive Director for the Southern Texas PGA. “Following my junior golf career, I had a passion for the game but did not know how to direct it, and that is when I came across the PGA Golf Management Program.”
“Graduating from this program has not only allowed me a successful career where I have the privilege to influence the next generation of golfers, but it has also given me the opportunity to stay in the game I love, and I encourage all high school students who love golf to look into the PGA Golf Management Program as a viable option for their futures.”
If you are interested in joining the PGA Golf Management program at SHSU please reach out to Dr. Ballinger for
more information.
