Golf program transfer agreement finalized (Dec 7)

Students from eastern Wisconsin who are interested in earning a four-year degree in golf management have a new in-state option.

The golf enterprise management (GEM) Bachelor of Science program at UW-Stout has a new agreement with Lakeshore Technical College, based in Cleveland between Manitowoc and Sheboygan.

Lakeshore students who earn an associate degree in golf course management, which requires 67 credits, can transfer to the GEM program at UW-Stout, which would require another 53 credits, or 120 total to complete. The program at UW-Stout is offered on campus and online.

Lakeshore is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System.

“This agreement provides an outstanding opportunity for Lakeshore students to continue their education in the business of golf, complete a four-year college degree and become leaders in the industry,” said UW-Stout professor Kris Schoonover, the GEM online program director.

“The golf industry in Wisconsin, and around the country,
continues to grow both in number of courses and the businesses associated with golf,” she added.

Jon Weiss, Lakeshore instructor and the school’s GCM program director, is excited about the additional education opportunity for his students.

“Lakeshore Technical College is thrilled to partner with Wisconsin’s only four-year polytechnic university. Our golf course management graduates will now have the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree online or at UW-Stout while gaining world-class experience at one of the golf facilities in our region,” Weiss said.

The GEM program has existing agreements with Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore and the Professional Golfers Career College, which has schools in Hilton Head, S.C., Orlando, Fla., and Temecula, Calif. Students also can transfer into the GEM program from any of the two-year UW Colleges.

The GEM program began at UW-Stout in 2005 with the support of the National Golf Course Owners Association. Students learn the business management side of the golf industry.

The program is part of the School of Hospitality Leadership, which is in the College of Management.

Original: http://www.leadertelegram.com/features/on_campus/article_660072a4-7cc5-11e4-84d9-bbb65f01358c.html