PGA Application for APAL Assessment (Accreditation of Professional Achievement and Learning)

Transcription

1 PGA Application for APAL Assessment (Accreditation of Professional Achievement and Learning) Key things to bear in mind when completing this form: GUIDANCE NOTES APAL (Accreditation of Professional Achievement and Learning) is recognition of a level of expertise and attainment that is awarded to PGA members by their Association for their work in and contribution to golf. Members can use these awards to market and promote themselves. The golf industry can use it to identify and recruit appropriate individuals that meet the needs of a particular role. The APAL form is for those Members who believe that through their own efforts they have attained the higher levels of achievement identified in the criteria below Enhanced membership status is awarded in recognition of your achievement and/or contribution to the profession or the game of golf, rather than simply the length of time in the game. Contribution can be through any of the following: Being recognised as role model of excellence; either as a player or business manager. Encouraging or enabling others to play the game or improve their game. Outstanding professionalism. Setting new standards for others to achieve. Outstanding achievement as a player, coach, author, business manager, committee member, etc. This process will be underpinned by the member s ability to communicate the following information throughout: What have you done? Why did you do it? How did it benefit you as an individual in developing your career? What learning took place? What results can you identify which provide evidence that learning was implemented successfully in a particular role? It may be useful in writing your application to repeatedly come back to the diagram below which highlights the key points that need to be documented: 1 - What have you done? 2 - Why did you do it? 4 - What results provide evidence of this learning being effective? 3 - What learning did you take from it? More information on how to support your application is provided within the notes on sections 1-8 in the following pages. Please pay special attention to the information provided in section 8. APAL Guidance notes - Page 1

2 Criteria against which you will be assessed Minimum years qualified - specific to each membership level. The awarding of each level is usually subject to a minimum time as a qualified PGA Professional. For each category the following minimum years apply: PGA Advanced Professional PGA Fellow Professional PGA Advanced Fellow Professional PGA Master Professional Min. 3 years Min. 8 years Min. 10 years Min. 15 years In exceptional circumstances, where a member is able to demonstrate achievements that belie their years, The PGA reserve the right to award a higher level of membership than their time in membership might dictate. The marking scheme The final two pages of this document provide members with a marking scheme against which applications will be assessed. The marking scheme articulates the type of evidence that is being sought when a judgement is made on an individual s application. The categories (down the left hand side) are not equally weighted, although there is a progression within each category, from someone deemed highly capable through to someone identified as highly expert (across the top). This progression correlates significantly with the categories of Advanced through to Master Professional. Each application is carefully assessed against the criteria by members of the APAL Council. Each Council member identifies a membership category that they believe is warranted by the evidence provided and during the Council meeting, applications will be discussed further until a unanimous decision is reached. This is then ratified by the board, before the member is informed of the decision. Applicants should use the information provided through the marking scheme and the information provided in the Completing the Application Form section which follows to help them in filling out the application form. COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM Please download the clean application form and develop your application on that document. An example of a completed application form is included within this document. The responses given have been taken from various sources. To protect the identity of the original sources, identifiable names have been replaced with xxxx, and artificial dates used. The net result of this is that dates and achievements given may not actually be achievable by a single person. Please note, it is important that you provide as much detail and information as possible. For example, simply giving a job or role title does not explain sufficiently what it involves. It is particularly important that you identify any achievements within that role that you are particularly proud of or that had a positive impact. Section 1 - Personal details Use the contact details (Home, club or business attachment) that you wish to be used. N.B. the telephone number should be appropriate for office hours phone calls. Please note: Only Members with a AA classification at the time of submission will be considered Section 2 Roles in the game (Most recent first) This section is essentially a standard format for you to record your career to date and clearly demonstrate the range of your experience. Roles may include Head Professional, Director of Golf, County Coach, County Golf Partnership committee member, Tour Player, Tour Van Club-fitter, Owner, Project Manager, etc. Whilst only 3 boxes are provided, you will need to add sufficient boxes to meet your needs. The first 4 statements are factual and should be easy to complete. Main Duties allows you to demonstrate the level of responsibility that you have within the position previously identified Achievement is your opportunity to demonstrate how your actions have resulted in notable achievement. You are advised to identify results which demonstrate business growth, added value to others, contribution to the golf industry, etc. o E.g. To state that you custom fitted 20 sets of irons per month does not indicate your achievement. To say that you developed the customizing trade from 4 sets of irons per month to 20 sets of irons per month demonstrates achievement. In the same way to state the size of your APAL Guidance notes - Page 2

3 business by quoting the turnover means nothing unless you can demonstrate that growth is through your efforts. Section 3 - Playing record (most recent first) List the significant tournaments of your career with the most recent first. Section 4 - PGA Roles Held (most recent first) List the roles you have undertaken within the PGA, i.e. Committee member at local, county, regional or national level. Attended on behalf of the PGA PGA Tutor on the Foundation Degree PGA Tutor/ Assessor of Level 2 ASQ golf coaching qualification Section 5 Work within the community (most recent first) This section identifies involvement in the community, which may or may not be linked to golf. This will include any charity work, volunteer work or other roles which may have been undertaken that have raised the profile of you (and perhaps the PGA) in a beneficial way. Section 6 - Media / Press / Author/ Presenter/ Speaker (Please provide supporting evidence as an appendix.) In the details column, give: The title and media. A very short précis or the purpose. Benefit to the PGA or the game of golf Section 7 Professional development (please supply supporting evidence as appendices.) List the significant activities that you have undertaken during your professional development. Breakdown your professional development into the following three sections: a. Courses you have attended where there was no formal assessment either during or at the end of the day(s) b. Courses where you have undertaken some form of assessment as part of completing the course (and gaining a certificate, qualification, etc) c. Qualification you have successfully completed at a College, University or other HE institution d. This should identify anyone that has through significant and prolonged personal (1 to 1) contact shared knowledge and skills that have led to significant new learning that ultimately helped you carry out your role more effectively. Please place them in chronological order, working forward to the present day. Activities undertaken through the PGA since 2002 should be on the computerised data base, however it is expected that you may have undertaken development activities outside of the PGA and prior to the introduction of the computerised database. These need to be listed to provide a comprehensive picture of your career. Section 8 - Your progress as a PGA Professional... Please provide the APAL panel with an overview of how your career has progressed up to and including the present day. Use the information you have included in Sections 2-7, and refer, where appropriate, to previous and current positions held within golf, professional development undertaken, as well as your achievements and accomplishments. (Please write the piece in a chronological order to assist verification). This section offers you the chance to document any significant learning and understanding that has arisen as a result of day to day experiences which might not ordinarily have been part of a more formal course or qualification. When highlighting this type of learning, be sure to identify how this learning arose and how it impacts on your day to day practice now. Furthermore, in writing about your own personal and professional development over time, remember to include: Why you chose the path you did, highlighting any pivotal moments in your personal and professional development, and including: o Why they were pivotal? o What actually happened to make them pivotal? Were other people involved in the process? o How did they contribute to your overall development? How you have progressed as an individual to be able to achieve what you have. This could include: o Examples of excellence. o Examples of you benefiting the game or the PGA. APAL Guidance notes - Page 3

4 o o Examples of you setting standards, being a role model for others Roles you have undertaken outside of golf which have been beneficial Describe how courses (outlined in Section 7) and key individuals have influenced your personal and professional practice over time. How have your knowledge and skills developed to allow you to operate at the levels you have identified? Explain how you continue to develop and evolve as a PGA Professional in the golf industry Finally summarise your plans for personal and professional development in the future. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE It is essential that you endeavour to provide supporting evidence to substantiate the details that are provided as part of your submission. RESUBMISSIONS Following any initial application for an APAL designation, members are also encouraged to consider resubmitting their APAL form at a later time when further achievements are evident. Studying the APAL criteria at the back of this document, will provide some guidance as to when it might be suitable to make that application. When resubmitting, the original form should be updated, rather than submitting a new form for the time that elapsed since the last submission date. WHERE DO I SEND THE APAL FORM & SUPPORTING EVIDENCE? Once the forms have been completed and the appropriate documents have been gathered as evidence please submit your application to the following address: Zena Kendall Membership Dept The Professional Golfers Association Centenary House The Belfry Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B76 9PT APAL Guidance notes - Page 4

5 TECHNICAL ADVICE FOR COMPLETING THE FORM ON A COMPUTER. To type your membership number in the page header. Click on View/Header and footer. At this point the document text will turn grey (indicating that this area is inactive) and the text in the header will turn black (indicating that this area is active). Now type your membership details in the box provided. N.B. Should you wish to type anything in the footer click on the header/footer icon appears in the toolbar that This document has been written using the Table feature in Microsoft WORD. For those not familiar with the table feature the notes below should overcome any difficulties. Each box within a table will grow to accommodate the amount of text typed. Rows can be deleted by highlighting the surplus rows and then clicking on Table/delete/rows. Additional rows can be inserted by placing the cursor where a new row is required, then clicking on Table/Insert/ row above or row below. Groups of rows ( as in section 2) can be added by highlighting an existing group of rows and clicking on the Copy icon; then placing the cursor where the extra rows are required and clicking on the Paste icon. Border lines can be added, deleted or changed by highlighting the required cells and clicking on Format/ Borders and shading and then working within the dialogue box that appears. Bullet points can be used in the same way as normal. i.e. highlight the relevant text and click on the bullets icon To achieve normal TAB key functions in a table use shift+ tab APAL Guidance notes - Page 5

6 Membership No. (On Membership Card) Application for APAL Assessment (Please add sheets if you need further space) 1. Personal details (Please Complete in Block Capitals) Title First Name Surname Address Contact address Post Code Telephone Number Day time number Club / Business Attachment Date elected to membership Address Place of work PGA Use only Current class Languages spoken 2. Roles in the game (Most recent first) Start date: Sep 1997 End date: Position: Club / Employer, Responsible to: Main Duties: Achievements: Current Head Professional AA/AAT/A Xxxx Golf centre General management of the centre and development of its facilities. Under my direction, the entire facility has been completely renovated and upgraded over the past 7 years and is now deemed to be the premier practice facility in the area and regularly frequented by numerous Tour Professionals. I have increased activity and employ around 20 staff, including PGA Assistant Professionals in Training. Since taking over the facility trade has increased sufficiently enough to justify and finance the rebuilding of an enlarged clubhouse which now includes a large retail shop, bar and conservatory. Last year, the interior of the range was made safe and refurbished. European Golf were so impressed with the results that they have recommended that other establishments consider it as a model for their own refurbishments. PGA is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers Association Limited

7 Membership No. (On Membership Card) Start date: 1994 End date: 1997 Position: Club / Employer, Responsible to: Main Duties: Achievements: Head Professional AA/AAT/A Xxxx Golf Club Responsible for the collection, accounting and banking of all monies connected with the golf course. Promoting golf at all levels Established a very busy retail business and teaching school. Help set up and monitored the initial stages of an affiliated golf club, which became affiliated to the National Golf Union & County. Became head coach at the xxxx hotel. Helped to design the hotel golf course and oversee its construction. As a founder member of the xxxxx which was set up to promote golf through the winter, for Pros in the xxxx area; I arranged activities and played a major role in attracting new members. I coached the xxxx Ladies and county players. These players achieved great things during this time. i.e. give examples. Start date: End date: Position: Club / Employer, Responsible to: Main Duties: Add as many boxes as necessary to cover your career history Achievements: 3. Playing Record (most recent first) Date Event Venue Position 1993 current I still play in the Senior Club Pros tournaments, the De Vere PGA Seniors and British Senior Open 1992 Hong Kong PGA Invitational xxxx Placed 1988 European TP Qualifying school xxxxx Winner 1986 PGA of America Player s workshop xxxx Winner 1977 Triple counties championship xxxx Winner June 1976 Xxxx Professional Foursomes xxxx Winner Xxxx Alliance Various Placed on 6 occasions PGA is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers Association Limited

8 Membership No. (On Membership Card) Winner twice. Add or delete rows to meet your needs. 4. PGA Roles Held (most recent first) Date from Date to Type of Role Duties & Achievements xxxx Regional Committee Member Attend 4 Regional and 4 County meetings each year. Required to make decisions on a wide range of issues affecting members in the county and Region. I proposed some major amendments to the playing opportunities for trainees which has meant many more now play Referee at Regional Tournaments I refereed an average of 6 Regional Tournaments a year Swing Tutor I became a Tutor in the swing department which meant delivering day long sessions to trainees on the programme. I also contributed to the manuals and marked exams and assignments. Add or delete rows to meet your needs. 5 Work within the community (most recent first) Date from Date to Role Appendix number Sponsored golf marathon (72 holes in one day) for Cancer Research at home club which raised 10,000 Add or delete rows to meet your needs. 6 - Media / Press / Author (Please provide supporting evidence as an appendix.) Date Details Appendix number 1992 Title: Co Author of xxxx a 50 page paperback book. See photo copy of book cover, attached as appendix 3 Précis: A beginner s guide to improving swing technique. Benefit: By introducing the skills required and recommending that readers then seek professional guidance in developing those skills, the individuals benefit from greater playing satisfaction and Pros potentially have a greater market place. I have had several Pros contact me to say that they have been approached as a result of the book. Add or delete rows to meet your needs. 3 PGA is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers Association Limited

9 Membership No. (On Membership Card) Professional Development (Please list from present day back to earliest event. Please supply supporting evidence as an appendix.) 7a Courses that are attendance based only Certificate of Appendix Date Duration Seminar / Event / Course Title Location attendance? number Jan days PGA Coaching Conference PGA Academy Attendance 4 May day Golf course design and architecture PGA Academy Attendance 5 Add or delete rows to meet your needs. 7b Courses that have an assessed section to them Date Duration Seminar / Event / Course Title Location Assessment Appendix number May days Golfsmith s Master Craftsman PGA National Practical Exam 6 Programme Training Academy Add or delete rows to meet your needs. 7c Courses run by Academic bodies (Colleges, Universities, HE) Date Duration Course Title Location Qualification Appendix number Oct year Psychology & Excellence I Golf 2 Warwick Certificate 8 University Jan years MPhil in Sports Coaching University of Masters 7 Birmingham Add or delete rows to meet your needs. 7d Individuals that have provided significant information that led to new learning Date Duration Individual s name Area of expertise Benefits derived from Individual 2001 Ongoing Brian Hemmings Psychology Spending time with Brian allowed me to develop my understanding and skills in pre shot routines and schedule of practice with elite level players Jeff Jackson Club fitting Learned about the benefits of fitting clubs... Add or delete rows to meet your needs. PGA is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers Association Limited

10 Membership No. (On Membership Card) Your progress as a PGA Professional... NB: Please read the notes provided for this section I started off in a small municipal driving range and found I had a real passion for coaching. I sought out the information firstly through books and then. Following a seminar I met with MNB and eventually I went to work with him at UIO. It was here that I started to see the real benefits of... My passion for this led me to take the ASD course at LAX... Since 2008 I have been the Director of Coaching at... Once completed please return to: Zena Kendall Membership Dept The Professional Golfers Association Centenary House The Belfry Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B76 9PT PGA is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers Association Limited

11 Other roles Equipment Tech Roles In the game Golf Management Retail Coaching Highly capable > Highly competent > Highly proficient > Highly expert Evidence of effectively introducing golfers to the game and keeping golfers in the game through their actions Evidence of sustained Influence & some success at Club, County or Regional Level Sustained Influence & Success with players who have gone on to success at National level Sustained Influence & Success with players who have gone on to success at International level Highly regarded person who has had significant and sustained success in this area Evidence of providing a retail experience which offers customers goods and services with good quality customer care Evidence of effectively delivering all aspects of golf operations under their control Evidence of operating, managing & continuously developing all aspects of the golf retail business with some success Evidence of effectively delivering and developing all aspects of golf operations under their immediate control Evidence of operating, managing & continuously developing all aspects of the golf retail business with sustained success Evidence of operating at both a tactical & strategic level, managing & continuously developing all aspects of the golf business with some success Evidence of operating, managing & continuously developing all aspects of the golf retail business with sustained success. There is strong evidence of entrepreneurial behaviour in this person's actions and results Evidence of sustained success in operating at both a tactical & strategic level, managing & continuously developing all aspects of the golf business with evidence of strong customer care, improved revenues and profitability Highly regarded person who has had significant and sustained success in this area Highly regarded person who has had significant and sustained success in this area Evidence of providing recognised club fitting and repair service. Offers members technical advice on equipment matters Provides a complete fitting service to a customer which includes a club fitting service based on a thorough and holistic analysis of all parts of the game based on measurable data. In addition to offering a complete club fitting service, they offer a wide range of options in the customisation of equipment and build clubs from components Evidence of a strong commitment and contribution within the field of Equipment Technology and/or Repairs, which has enhanced the reputations of golf professionals Highly regarded person who has had significant and sustained success in this area Comparable evidence of operation, success and continued development as per Coaching, Retail, Golf Management, Equipment Tech definitions. For example: Golf Course Architecture, Refereeing, Education, etc A guide to the criteria against which applications are assessed

12 General Description Quals Professional Development Media, Press and other public work Work within the community PGA Roles held Playing record Highly capable > Highly competent > Highly proficient > Highly expert Represents the PGA well when playing in Pro-Am or other Pro events Repeated Success at PGA Regional Level Repeated Success at PGA National level Repeated Success at Tour level Success at Majors or Ryder/Solheim Cup Is involved in the committee structure at the club Sustained commitment and contribution at County level Sustained commitment and contribution at Regional level Sustained commitment and contribution to the PGA An Ambassador/Leader recognised for work that benefits the PGA Is a positive influence in the local area Is a strong role model as a PGA Professional Has more held more than one senior role at Regional or National level with evidence of commitment & contribution Over a sustained period of time has shown evidence of commitment and contribution which has strongly influenced a significant part of the game An Ambassador/Leader recognised for work that benefits the game of golf Produces Literature which promotes themselves and what they do in a professional manner on a local level Produces Literature/ Delivers seminars which promotes themselves and what they do in a professional manner to a wider audience Has written articles/books and presented at regional or national level seminars or conferences Written a number of books, articles and presented at prestigious conferences and seminars Someone who has left their mark at conferences and/or through books, articles or videos. Has maintained sufficient points to be classed as 'AA'. Some evidence of this being linked to career progression Through attendance at courses, seminars, and by taking qualifications related to golf, has shown a desire and willingness to develop self. Demonstrates evidence of sustained commitment to personal development which is coherent with developing further expertise and career opportunities Has invested in self extensively, seeking out individuals with cutting edge knowledge and understanding in order to be more effective within their own field of work Continues to invest in self extensively, seeking out individuals with cutting edge knowledge and understanding in order to be more effective within their own field of work PGA Qualified and all relevant basic certificates Evidence of further quals up to Degree level Degree level or equivalent Masters level or equivalent Doctoral Level or equivalent Proactive Professional, with a strong reputation within their facility for good service and good knowledge. Acts in a professional manner, as expected by the PGA, and by their actions supports the PGA 'brand' Proactive with a high profile within the local area. Building a reputation based on evidence of influencing and contributing to the success of others Developing a reputation more widely within their field, significantly influencing and contributing to others, with recognisable career development and investment in their own learning Numerous examples of innovative and significant contribution to the game. Recognition is strong at national level, with the possibility to be known more widely. Clear evidence of personal development throughout their lifetime International Reputation within their field. Sustained and significant success with significant influence over a number of other professionals A guide to the criteria against which applications are assessed

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