USGA Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program expands to Charlotte with Central Piedmont partnership

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – The United States Golf Association (USGA) and Central Piedmont Community College today announced plans to expand the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program (GAP) to Charlotte, N.C., in 2027. The new site will mark the program’s third location, joining existing locations in Pinehurst, N.C., and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Launched in 2023, GAP combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training to prepare the next generation of turf maintenance professionals. Through Central Piedmont, apprentices will have access to instruction that complements hands-on training at leading golf facilities throughout the Charlotte region. 

Courses are taught by industry professionals, including former golf course superintendents, who pair essential subject-matter expertise with practical lessons apprentices can apply directly in daily course maintenance work. Apprentices of the year-long, no-cost program are placed at a nearby golf course for a paid position on the golf course maintenance team, allowing them to earn fair wages while furthering their education and experience.

GAP was created to address the industry’s growing need for skilled workers. Surveys found that superintendents viewed attracting and retaining labor as a greater challenge than issues such as aging infrastructure, cost containment and turf disease management. The program helps crew members and entry-level workers further their education and build long-term careers in golf course maintenance, rather than viewing the work as seasonal employment.

By the conclusion of this year’s program, more than 100 apprentices will have graduated from GAP across the two existing locations. In its first three years, the program has graduated 68 apprentices, 40 percent of whom have earned promotions, while 94 percent remain employed in the golf industry. Notably, several GAP alumni have advanced into leadership roles, including superintendent and first assistant superintendent positions. 

“Expanding GAP will continue to help address the industry’s need for skilled turf maintenance professionals while creating meaningful career pathways for people interested in the field,” said Jordan Booth, senior director of course consulting at the USGA. “Bringing the program to Central Piedmont Community College reflects strong industry demand for this training, and we are encouraged by the momentum.”

For Central Piedmont, the program reflects a broader approach to workforce development, working side by side with employers to build programs that meet the region's demand for skilled talent. Apprenticeships and work-based learning are central to that approach, providing students with paid, hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in the field.

The Charlotte location will strengthen GAP’s presence across the Carolinas, one of the country’s most golf-dense regions. Apprentices at the new site are expected to be placed for employment at area facilities including Charlotte Country Club, Quail Hollow Club, Carmel Country Club and Pine Lake Country Club.

“Our partnership with USGA demonstrates what is possible when education and industry work together with a shared purpose,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont Community College. “Through the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program, participants will have the opportunity to learn alongside professionals, gain hands-on experience and advance careers that contribute to one of Charlotte's signature industries.”

Industry professional John Royals will be leading the instruction of GAP at Central Piedmont, where he has worked as an instructor for over 25 years. Royals has an undergraduate degree in horticulture, turf and turfgrass management, as well as a Master of Science in plant pathology from Clemson University. 

Throughout the year, apprentices will receive instruction in core areas of golf course maintenance, including soil and plant science, water management and conservation, and integrated pest management, giving them a comprehensive education in all things turf maintenance.

Learn more about the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program on the USGA website.