Angkor Golf Resort’s director of golf David Baron, who has been a member of the British Professional Golfers Association for 12 years, has received a membership status upgrade as a PGA Advanced Professional in recognition of his efforts and progress within the industry.

Established in 1901, The PGA has enjoyed a reputation as a strong proponent of leading education programs for golf professionals across the world. As a result, PGA professionals have been equipped to fulfil a range of positions across the golf industry.

To help PGA professionals maintain their standing as experts within golf, the PGA has developed an extensive educational and professional development program designed to help them meet the needs of the industry.

In addition it has sought to recognise member achievements with new additional categories of PGA Advanced, Fellow, Advanced Fellow and Master Professional status.

Members gain qualification to the PGA by first of all completing a playing ability test and then must graduate from the three-year PGA degree program.

Subjects include; Golf Coaching, Business Management, Sports Science, Rules and Tournament Organisation, Equipment Technology and Retail. Once fully qualified, members must maintain their status by gaining adequate CPD Points (continuous professional development) each year.

“I’m delighted to have been rewarded with this recognition. The PGA qualification gives golf professionals an excellent foundation to build a career within the industry,” Baron told the Post in an exclusive interview yesterday.

“There are then systems in place for professionals to gain additional qualifications and education to further develop their career and status. To be awarded Advanced Status is recognition for my achievements to date, but I look forward to gaining more knowledge and experience in the years to come,” said AGR’s director of golf.

“I have been fortunate to have worked at a number of excellent golf clubs in the UK, Hong Kong, China and now Cambodia. These have ranged from private clubs, public courses, resorts and pre-openings, therefore I have gained new experiences and knowledge from each position,” Baron added.

“As a PGA member I also have the responsibility of growing the game of golf and this is something I always try to bring to my role, wherever It may be.

“In Hong Kong I conducted over 80 hours golf tuition per month. In Shanghai we launched the first PGA-branded golf academy to develop the game, and in Qingdao, China, we opened the first Jack Nicklaus-branded golf academy to provide golf lessons at grass roots and provincial level,” said the 12-year British PGA veteran, who now heads an extensive grass roots development program in Siem Reap besides heading the AGR golf academy.

“Now at Angkor Golf Resort we are making great strides with the junior development program and golf academy, which I’m sure will continue to go from strength to strength under the watchful eye of head professional, Alan Martin. I look forward to further developing my career here at AGR, which in my opinion is one of the finest courses in Asia,” Baron said.