Growing Program Provides Hands-on Training for Future Golf Course Assistants and Superintendents
Growing Program Provides Hands-on Training for Future Golf Course Assistants and Superintendents
By Michael Morris
Have you thought about a rewarding career working outdoors on a golf course, or know someone who has?
Now three years in, the Michigan Golf Course Association's Registered Apprenticeship Program for golf course maintenance technicians is setting a high standard for building the skilled workforce needed to condition Michigan's golf courses. Michigan's early success stands out nationally compared to similar programs in Pennsylvania and New York, while the USGA's recent launch of its Golf Apprenticeship Program for 2026 in the Carolinas further validates apprenticeships as a viable solution to increase skilled labor for golf.
The MGCA program represents a collaborative effort between MGCA, the Michigan Department of Labor, Michigan Works, and the MIGCSA workforce committee. Built on US Department of Labor standards, it provides structured, paid training culminating in a nationally recognized credential: the journey-worker title of Greenskeeper II, Golf Course Maintenance Technician. This formal recognition establishes rigorous industry standards that transcend simple online certifications, making golf course maintenance more competitive with other skilled trades vying for the same talent pool while potentially increasing wages and professional standing.
The apprenticeship requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training over approximately two years, tracked through WorkHands, a nationwide apprenticeship management application. Golf course supervisors monitor and approve apprentice progress, while apprentices may apply previously proven competencies toward completion. Educational requirements include 182 hours of coursework accessible through complimentary GCSAA student membership, plus mandatory pesticide applicator certification through MDARD. Employers develop graduated pay scales tied to skill development, with raises structured at 50% completion and matriculation.
After completing a 90-day probationary period, facilities receive $4,000 per enrolled apprentice, while apprentices receive two $500 prepaid gas cards. Facilities use these funds to provide additional training and development opportunities and to offset the wage increases during the apprenticeship.
Michigan's program demonstrates that structured, credentialed workforce development can thrive in golf course operations.
For more information, go to: https://www.michigangca.org/rap
Morris is Executive Director at Michael Morris Consulting LLC and a former superintendent at Crystal Downs Country Club
