Program Overview

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Business of Golf & Resort Management Program

The Business of Golf & Resort Management program is designed to provide critical knowledge, skills, and credentials for individuals looking to enter or advance in the golf and resort industry. This program is offered by McMaster Continuing Education and is available in both certificate and diploma formats.

Program Overview

The program is built in collaboration with the Golf Management Institute of Canada (GMIC) and features convenient online golf and resort management courses. Students learn from industry experts and have the opportunity to work towards professional designations, such as the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation recognized by The Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC).

Program Highlights

• 10-course Diploma or 5-course Certificate options
• Flexible online learning
• Work towards professional designations
• Open enrolment program

What You'll Learn

Through this program, students will learn key retail management practices, how to develop comprehensive business plans, club governance, committee dynamics, and their strategic impact on decision making. They will also learn how to conduct financial analyses, apply principles of human resource management within the golf industry, and apply legal foundations and principles in operating a golf resort.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Business of Golf & Resort Management program may pursue careers as:

• Grounds Manager
• Golf Retail Store Manager
• Equipment Manager
• Golf Course Superintendent
• Golf Travel and Tourism
• Driving Range Manager

Academic Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Outline key retail management practices
• Describe characteristics of entrepreneurship and industry key success factors
• Develop a comprehensive business plan
• Describe club governance, committee dynamics, and their strategic impact on decision making
• Conduct typical financial analyses
• Apply principles of human resource management within the golf industry
• Apply legal foundations and principles in operating a golf resort
• Describe the framework of food and beverage operations in general and specific to the golf/resort industry
• Identify legal compliance and controls in food and beverage management
• Apply core design principles in golf course architecture

Professional Associations

The program is recognized by the PGA of Canada, and courses can be used as credit toward the PGA Training Academy. The Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC) also recognizes this program for achieving or maintaining the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.

Certificate in Business of Golf & Resort Management

To earn the Certificate in Business of Golf & Resort Management, students must complete any 5 courses from the program. The available courses include:

• GLF 101: Entrepreneurship In The Golf Industry
• GLF 102: Human Resources Management for Golf Operations
• GLF 103: Business Law for Golf Managers
• GLF 104: Finance for Non Financial Managers in the Golf Industry
• GLF 105: Golf Club Governance
• GLF 106: Hospitality Management
• GLF 107: Retail Management for Golf Operations
• GLF 108: Golf Course Design & Construction - Turf Management
• GLF 109: Marketing Management in Golf Operations
• GLF 110: Strategic Management in Golf Operations

Diploma in Business of Golf & Resort Management

To earn the Diploma in Business of Golf & Resort Management, students must complete all 10 courses from the program. The diploma program includes the same courses as the certificate program.

Did You Know?

You could use your diploma towards a degree through the My OWN McMaster pathway, which combines McMaster Continuing Education and McMaster undergraduate courses to earn a McMaster diploma and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History or Sociology.

Business of Golf & Resort Management Schedule

The program schedule is subject to change, but courses are typically offered in the fall, winter, and spring/summer terms. Registration for each term opens in mid-July, mid-March, and mid-March, respectively.

Admission Requirements

This program is open enrolment, which means there is no formal application or admission procedure. To enrol in a course, simply register online. Students must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, or be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University, or be deemed an exceptional case.

Language Requirements

If English is not your native language, you must meet McMaster University's English proficiency requirements by either qualifying for an exemption or passing a McMaster-approved English test.

How to Register

To register for courses, visit the program page, select a course, and proceed with the registration steps. Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment, and online credit card or debit payments are preferred. Accepted credit cards include Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, and accepted debit cards include Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard. Google Pay is also available for faster checkout. Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution, but please note that it may take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. If the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course. Problem processing your payment? Please reach out to your credit card company if your payment was declined. Otherwise, wait two hours before attempting your registration again.