Bowood are extremely pleased to have recently become an elite member of the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association). As a branded property of the association, we are now a PGA Golf Course and PGA Academy.
The hard and accurate work of our dedicated team across all areas of the hotel, not just on the golf course, has led to our affiliation. And that goes hand-in-hand with the loyalty of our members and guests, whose attendance and feedback has all come together to help us achieve such a prestigious status.
Despite our excitement, we understand that not all our hotel guests and members will be familiar with the PGA.
So, to clear up any uncertainties and to share this new-found success with our loyal members and guests, we’re unveiling everything we think you ought to know about the PGA.
So, what does PGA qualified mean? And how do we expect it to enhance Bowood and what we offer?
Here are 10 things you might not know about the PGA:
Being part of the PGA gives Bowood global recognition within professional golf. Our course is now seen to be on the same level as some of the best golf courses across the world.
To put it simply: We’ve become part of world class golfing elite.
We expect that those with a keen interest in golf will want to travel to Bowood to indulge in the superior golfing opportunities we offer. No matter where they live.
The fact that other PGA accredited golf courses are based in Kenya and Spain proves the sheer prestige of this accreditation, and its rarity in the UK.
Of course, we’ve been lucky enough to be making the most of our fantastic course for a number of years. It’s not changing drastically as a result of the affiliation- but it is becoming more recognised.
So when it comes to preferred professional golfing venues, we’re very much on the map.
And we’ve gained status as both.
As we’ve mentioned above, being recognised as a PGA Golf Course makes us one of the top choices for golfing facilities in the UK and worldwide.
Bowood is now regarded as a superior golfing venue, considering the course itself, as well as the hotel’s brasserie, accommodation and spa.
As a PGA Academy, we’ve demonstrated that we can enhance golf skills in our players, through high-level coaching from trained professionals.
Our Pro golfers are PGA professionals with over 50 years’ experience. If you’ve played on our course before and experienced some coaching, you’ll know the skill level of our coaches and also their ability to progress beginner, intermediate and even “expert” players.
The PGA has recognised Bowood’s facilities to cater for golfers of all ages, genders and abilities, which means that we are proven to provide an excellent hub for learning new techniques and enhancing existing skills.
Who knows…perhaps we’ll be the home golf course of the next Tiger Woods? We’ve already developed a number of international level athletes, so training an elite-level sports person is not out of the question.
The bar is set high. And all of our guests, members and visitors to our hotel can benefit from our high-standard of coaching- that is sought-after on an international scale.
Golf enthusiasts will, no doubt, have heard about the legendary golf course The Belfry.
The Belfry is the UK’s PGA National Course. It is well-connected and easily accessible by Birmingham Airport and Birmingham city centre.
The course is famous for its 500-acres of superior Warwickshire countryside, as well as it’s high-quality accommodation and facilities in the hotel.
For Bowood to be part of the PGA and valued on a similar level to The Belfry is an absolute honour and an exciting prospect for our hotel’s future.
Note that The Belfry has a superior partnership status with the PGA, so we’re not quite on the same level as that.
We may not be a partner of the PGA, however, to get to grips with how superior our accreditation really is, it is helpful to know that Bowood is now one of eight (yes that’s right, just eight) PGA golf academies to date.
We are listed as one of the best places to develop golfing skills and learn from the professionals, along with the following locations:
Being classed alongside the magnificent locations above is just another of the reasons why the PGA association is so beneficial for our hotel.
The Ryder Cup is arguably one of the most famous awards in the sport. The PGA has been involved with the Ryder Cup since it began in 1927. And it still plays a part nowadays.
For those that are more familiar with Pro golf, the PGA is a partner in the European Ryder Cup LLP, as well as the European tour.
And if you’ve seen what the Ryder Cup looks like, donated to the sport by Sam Ryder himself, you’ll have noticed the 17-inch figure on the top. That figure is Abe Mitchell. One of the most famous members of the PGA and Sam Ryder’s personal coach.
Not only is the PGA supported by legends in golf like Abe Mitchell, it is also affiliated with massive brands.
Some of these brands are:
Just by looking at the size and calibre of these brands, it is clear to see what a big deal it is being part of the PGA.
We hope to expand and improve our facilities at Bowood, in response to this excellent accreditation.
In order to become a PGA affiliated professional, it takes time and hard work. Our Pros have undergone extensive training to get where they are today.
Many of the PGA Pros are educated to degree level. They are trained with the most recent expertise and skills in the sport, to ensure they provide the best and most relevant standard of golf to date.
A professional qualification with the PGA involves:
And here at Bowood we’ll be hosting the final of the PGA Championship in July 2019.
We couldn’t be more excited.
The Championship invites various golf societies to play on our hotel grounds and the course will provide a testing ground for 144 talented players.
We’re looking forward to watching and receiving feedback on their experience on the course.
Our Head GreenKeeper and his team are already working hard to ensure the course is at optimum condition in preparation for the Championship event.
If you’d like to play on this iconic course as a member, then why not join us as a member here at Bowood?
The PGA works with golf bodies such as the UK Golf Course Owners Association and the Home Unions and Golf Club Managers’ Association, as well as various golf club committees.
This means that the credibility of the association is extremely high. If you’re looking to start your golfing career (and by that we mean amateur players too), then by choosing a PGA accredited venue like Bowood, you can be confident you’re learning in the most reliable way.
Golf is not just a sport for men. The campaign #WeLoveGolf is the PGA’s modern campaign to get more women playing golf.
The WPGA is the section of the PGA dedicated to women. Set up by the epic female golfer Vivien Saunders in 1978, she gifted the name WPGA into the safe hands of the PGA in 1998.
So while the association is run overall by men, there is a continued effort to get more women involved in golf.
Women who join the PGA automatically become members of the WPGA.
We welcome female members here at Bowood.
Bowood’s new status with the PGA gives our hotel spa and golf resort global recognition on the professional golfing scene. We want to share the prestige of the PGA with our guests, members and anybody thinking about coming to stay with us.
We’re looking forward to welcoming more local golfers, as well as making continued developments to our world-class golf course.
Join us today for what is set to be one of our most exciting years in golf to date.
