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HGTC Partners with USGA to Launch Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program in Myrtle Beach

(Conway, SC) 05/14/2024

HGTC and USGA - 1Photo 1: (left to right) Chip Fallaw, Apprenticeship Carolina; Charles Granger, HGTC Chair and Professor of Golf and Sports Turf Management; Fred Perpall - USGA President; Vincent Myers, HGTC Workforce Development Manager; Brandon Haselden, HGTC Assistant Vice President and Dean; Jim Huntoon, HGTC Associate Professor of Golf and Sports Turf Management

HGTC and USGA 2

Photo 2: (left to right) Chip Fallaw, Apprenticeship Carolina; Dr. Jordan Booth, USGA-Green Section; Charles Granger, HGTC Chair and Professor of Golf and Sports Turf Management; Jim Huntoon, HGTC Associate Professor of Golf and Sports Turf Management; Brandon Haselden, HGTC Assistant Vice President and Dean; Vincent Myers, HGTC Workforce Development Manager; Dr. Carson Letot, USGA-GAP Program; Dr. Matt Pringle, USGA-Green Section

The Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is proud to announce its collaboration with the United States Golf Association (USGA) in introducing the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program (GAP) to the Myrtle Beach area. This groundbreaking initiative aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in golf course maintenance while promoting sustainability within the industry.

The GAP, which has been successfully piloted at Sandhills Community College, will now be extended to HGTC, providing local students with access to high-quality education and hands-on training in golf course maintenance. With a commitment of $1 million over five years from the USGA and generous contributions from industry partners, HGTC will offer tuition-free education and paid on-the-job training positions to aspiring greenkeepers.

"At HGTC, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's workforce," said Dr. Marilyn Murphy Fore, HGTC President. "The partnership with the USGA to launch the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program underscores our commitment to providing innovative educational opportunities that meet the needs of our community. We are excited to be a part of this initiative and look forward to empowering our students to thrive in the golf industry."

"The introduction of the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program at HGTC represents a significant milestone for our institution and the Myrtle Beach community," said Charles Granger, HGTC Chair and Professor of Golf and Sports Turf Management. "This program will not only provide students with valuable hands-on experience but will also contribute to the sustainability and growth of the golf industry in our region. We are grateful for the support of the USGA and our industry partners in making this program possible."

Through this partnership, HGTC aims to cultivate a skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of the golf industry while fostering environmental stewardship and community engagement.

For more information about the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program at HGTC, please visit Golf and Sports Turf Management. 

For more information, visit https://www.usopen.com/, and to learn more about the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program, click here.