Golfdom reports the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Central Piedmont Community College are expanding the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program (GAP) to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2027. The new site will mark the program’s third location, joining existing locations in Pinehurst, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 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. 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. 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 Superintendents viewed attracting and retaining labor as a greater challenge than issues such as aging infrastructure, cost containment and turf disease management.  

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