N.C. State University has chosen Northgreen Country Club as a classroom case study for students this semester who are trying to make a career in the golf industry.
PGM students gain hands on knowledge through required internships and service projects
The PGA Golf Management course students have been analyzing Northgreen and its clubhouse and are offering suggestions for improving the business. The students, who are taking the course in the university’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, also are making site visits and will be assisting with clinics and other duties at the course.
The golf course was chosen for this semester’s case study after residents of the Northgreen Village Association sat down with course owner Ed Holloman to discuss ways they could work together to improve the course, which is considered a major selling point for their properties.
The partnership between the university and course a win-win situation for everyone involved, Northgreen owner Wayne Holloman said. He said Northgreen Country Club gets free advice about how to improve the course and improve its bottom line. And students get a chance to work at a blue-collar course that is open to the public and similar to clubs some will be working at when they graduate, course instructor Andy Betz said. He said his upper- level students are putting together a marketing plan for Northgreen.
Holloman said (the partnership) resulted in what amounted to a free consultation. “It was amazing to see college kids put that much serious effort into something.” Residents said any improvements to the course can only be a plus for the neighborhood.
Adapted from the “Rocky Mount Telegram”.
Read the complete article, written by John Henderson and published February 11, 2013