University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) PGA Golf Management University Program Director Dr. Christopher Cain, PGA, has earned the prestigious PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation that can be obtained by a PGA Member. Cain achieved his PGA Master Professional designation in Executive Management.
Dr. Cain is a graduate of the PGA Golf Management University Program at Penn State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Following a 10-year career in the golf and club management industry, he received his Ph.D. from UNLV in Higher Education, with emphasis in Educational Leadership and Finance.
The PGA Master Professional Program is available to any PGA Professional who has achieved advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professional Program, which was launched in 2004. The curriculum is comprised of an extensive project, based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA Professional. Upon approval of the project and successful completion of a presentation, a PGA Member will earn the prestigious PGA Master Professional status. To be eligible, the PGA Master Professional Program requires a minimum of 10 years of PGA Membership in one of the three dedicated career tracks. These career tracks include Executive Management, Teaching & Coaching and Golf Operations.
“Earning the PGA Master Professional designation is truly an honor,” said Dr. Cain, a PGA Member for over 21 years. “I fully embrace my role as the PGA Golf Management University Program Director at UNLV, where I can positively impact and help shape the next generation of PGA Professionals.”
Dr. Cain’s teachings, invited presentations and research focus on leadership and operations management within the golf and club industry, as well as student persistence factors related to degree attainment.
Cain’s industry service includes board of director positions with regional and national professional, amateur, and junior golf associations including: the PGA of America, First Tee, Southern Nevada Golf Association, Nevada Golf Alliance, PGA Magazine and the PGA’s Speaker Bureau.
Cain is a past President of the Southwest PGA Section Southern Nevada Chapter and recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a past recipient of the Section’s Golf Professional of the Year and Horton Smith Awards (now called the PGA Professional Development Award).
The PGA Master Professional Program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA Members who have made a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. As part of its Member education curriculum, the PGA MPP program was designed to ensure PGA Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace.