Column: The life of a PGA professional

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a member of the Professional Golf Association of America?

After a visit with Rick Vaughan, the PGA professional at Dayton Valley Country Club recently accepted into the PGA, I'm impressed with the dedication and perseverance required to reach this goal.

Rick told me about the extensive apprentice course of the Golf Professional Training Program, which involves nine seminars, 10 self-study courses, and two elective courses. The courses are divided into three levels, with three separate testing periods. Each testing period consists of a paper/pencil test, simulation, and discussion on the self-study courses.

Once all three levels are passed, each apprentice must pass the "Final Experience," which consists of a 15-minute presentation and simulated job interview. If all goes well during the "Final Experience," and the apprentice has satisfied all electives and credits, he or she is elected into the Professional Golf Association of America.

Vaughn had steadily pursued his goal, beginning with his days at the University of Nevada, all the while entertaining dreams of the PGA Tour.

"My career was less than spectacular, filled with too many bogeys and not enough birdies," Vaughan reflected. "At the end of my college golf days I realized that playing on the PGA Tour was a dream too far out of my reach, and I was forced to seek another career path, hopefully one that would allow me to still play golf from time to time.

In the spring of 1995, Tom Duncan gave Vaughan a chance to work in the golf shop out at Dayton Valley. Duncan, who is currently the director of golf at Silver Oak in Carson City, held the same position at Dayton back then.

Vaughan quickly realized he had found his calling.

By January 1996, he was eligible for the Playing Ability Test, which he took at Sherwood Forest Golf Club in Sanger, Calif., and passed by shooting 149 over two rounds.

"After passing the P.A.T., I quickly signed up for the Professional Readiness Orientation and was introduced to the 'real life" of a club professional and the education needed to become a member of the PGA," Vaughan said.

Vaughan spent 4 under Dayton Valley general manager Jim Kepler in the Golf Professional Training Program. According to Kepler, the program requires about four years for a candidate with a college degree, and about 5 years for one without (although in the future, a college degree will be mandatory).

He finally graduated from the program on Wednesday, and he is now a member of the PGA.

"The program was strenuous, but I feel that it has filled me with the knowledge and experience to be a worthy PGA club professional," Vaughan said.

"These classes cover everything from food and beverage, club repair and design, golf cart maintenance, golf course maintenance, accounting, teaching, playing, and on and on," Kepler said.

Vaughan has appreciated his time.

"I've enjoyed working at Dayton Valley - the staff is great, the course is terrific, and the work atmosphere fits me to a tee," he said.

Vaughn has worked as Tournament Director and assisted in administration of the PGA Tour Qualifying. He has managed the golf shop, done scheduling and supervised golf shop staff as well as outside services staff; he has booked and organized 300 tournaments annually; coordinated golf packages with local hotel and casinos; conducted private and group instruction; maintained the golf shop inventory and supplies; assisted in marketing of the golf club and coordinated the junior golf program.

Vaughan's stint at UNR is impressive as well, where he served as Assistant Golf Coach for three years; team captain of UNR golf; tournament director for the 1995 and 1996 Wolf Pack Golf Classic; organized practices and qualifications; outlined policies and procedures and assisted with recruiting.

He has a number of achievements to his credit, including the National Scholar Athlete Award, UNR Male Athlete of the Year Nominee, National Student-Athlete Day Award, was a Medalist in the Robertson Homes Invitational, and was in the Top 16 in the United States Golf Association Public Links Amateur Championship. Vaughan is C.P.R. and First-Aid certified and has completed the Heartsaver Automated External Defibrillation program.

Like they say on TV - these guys are good.

(Dottie Kelley is a weekly contributor to the Golf Links page. If you have any golf news, or would like to report results, contact her at 883-4381.)