It dawned on me after I submitted my Level 3 Portfolio that this was it. My last work in the PGM Program. Once this gets approved, I take an exam and it’s game, set, match. The process from this point to the finish line felt like a whole level in and of itself.

Upon submission of my portfolio, it dawned on me that my Level 2 portfolio took 30 agonizing days to get approved. I started to do the math backwards. If today is March 27th and they take 30 days to grade this portfolio, that is April 26th. Doubtful that I could take the exam and get elected in the May, 2024 class. If it’s 30 days, I wouldn’t get elected until the June, 2024 class. There was no hurry, and I told myself this 50 times, but… just the same, I wanted it done and behind me. I knew there was no sense in going down this rabbit hole, so I thought the longer they take to approve it, the more time I have to study for the final exam.

I had been studying for the final exam on and off since I finished Level 1. I knew that the quiz questions from the reading in each level would be the pool from which the exam questions would be taken. I took screenshots of them all (shhhh). I was using Quizlet and started to ramp it up. I entered the questions and answers in to Quizlet to use as flash cards. I studied hard over the Christmas break. I kept up the pace through the new year. Once my portfolio was in, I dropped the hammer down. When I was eating lunch, I was doing flash cards. Quizzes at night. First thing in the morning. I did flash cards, quizzes, I used the AI Chat feature – even match game. It consumed me. I got to the point where I studied so much that I knew the answers to the questions without having to see the full question written out. I took a 20 question quiz and got 19/20. Then 24/25. 48/50. I needed 81/115 on the test. I think I’m in good shape, but I haven’t taken a final exam since 1989, so not so sure. What to do??

More studying. Facility Management. Then Teaching and Coaching. It didn’t matter what I studied. I was getting all the questions right. I started taking 100 question quizzes. 97/100 in 14 minutes. This is crazy. I want to take this exam.

Then, it happened. On April 8th, I got a notification that one of the modules in my portfolio was graded. My heart raced. I looked at it. 17/20. Nice. 18/20. 14/15. 23/25. 19/20. They were coming in fast and furious. The clock turned 7:00 pm. and the grades stopped coming in. About the only thing worse than waiting 30 days is having the portfolio partially graded and the faculty member stops and goes home for the day.

The next day, the big ones were left. Those came in in the morning. Then I got a call. I had to re-submit a video. Done. 20 minutes later, my portfolio was approved. Holy smokes!! I got the email from the PGA that I was approved to sign up for the exam. I couldn’t wait. One problem. It was Tuesday night and I was headed to Florida for a little R&R on Thursday afternoon. I wanted that exam off my plate before I left. I signed up for first thing Thursday morning. My wife thought I was crazy.

I took 115 question quizzes Tuesday night and again several times on Wednesday. I had a couple 115/115’s. Bring it on!! Let’s get this done.

So the test has a proctor. Some guy gets paid to sit there and watch me take a closed book test. I had to use my camera to show around the room, under the desk. Eyes forward. No talking. Nerves. OK. Here’s your exam. You have 90 minutes. 14 minutes later, I was done. Seriously. I went back through and re-read and checked. No changes. Submit. Gulp. I scored 111/115. 96.5% I was actually annoyed. I couldn’t figure out which 4 questions I missed – I knew them all. Dammit…

I thought I was done. And then, another waiting game… My application to the PGA of America needed approval. 3 days, nothing. 6 Days. Crickets. A week. on the 9th day, I got the email. I was approved to become a PGA Member on April 22. I will be elected as a Class A member of the PGA of America on May 2, 2024.

As I reflect on the journey and the process, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment. A lot of people start the program, but only 8% finish it. I’m an 8 percenter. A lot of people try to take the PAT, but only about 20% ultimately pass it. Only 4% pass it on their first try. I’m a 4 percenter. I did well in the coursework. Between everything that was graded, I got 91% of everything right. I guess I’m a 91 percenter too.

I switched to the new PGM 3.1 because I wanted to mentor those going through behind me. I was in the first 10 – 15 to successfully complete that version of the PGM program. I could have been done sooner if I had stayed in the 3.0 curriculum, but I’m glad I went this route. A few days after I found out I was approved and ready to be elected as a Class-A member, I attended the Western NY PGA Section spring meeting. Just prior to the meeting, there was a panel for Associates. A forum for my fellow Associates to ask anything. I went to be there for the guys coming behind me. It was nice to help them. I played golf when I was in Florida a few weeks ago. Two of the assistant professionals there are going through the PGM Program now. I offered them help. I see PGA Associates all the time, and I offer them help too. THIS is what it’s all about.

Was it easy for me? No. It was a lot of work. For 22 months, I spent my free time doing PGA stuff. I spent time on my golf game. I spent time teaching and learning more about the golf swing. I got a lot of answers right. I was able to contribute in class. I was able to help new friends and old friends progress through the program. In the end, I did this to learn. I did this to have something that makes me a little more qualified if I ever want to do something else in the business. I did it to do it. I did it. Was it easy though? The coursework? It was. For me, it was. 30 years of experience put to good use. However, I learned a lot. Things that I am already using on a daily basis. I’m very happy that I did it. Now, I have 3 letters after my name, and no one can take that way. I’m Jim Yeager, PGA from now on. I like that.

I’d like to thank several people who helped my along the way of this journey. This is a tough road to go alone. I had a lot of support along the way. You see, there are activities in the portfolio that say “At your facility…” I don’t have one of those, so I had to network and utilize fellow PGA Professionals for their experience to help me learn so I could complete the coursework. So, thanks to the following for helping me achieve my goal:

Alan Seamans, CNY PGA Executive Director for pointing me in the right direction to get me started.

Chip Clover, Former WNY PGA Executive Director for signing my application.

Martha Wells, Mike Sweazy, Mike Mancari, Jim Edmister, Debby Murphy, Brian Jacobs, Marty Nowicki and Michael Doctor for their insights and willingness to share how they do what they do as PGA Professionals. I learned so much from each of you.

Neil and Nicole at PGA HQ for their instruction in Facility management. Richard, Rafael, Mark and Eric at PGA HQ for their Teaching and Coaching instruction.

Kevin, Carol and Erik for the feedback on my portfolios.

My wife for being a rockstar and withstanding the torture of being my Level 1 student.

My Son and my cousin for being my Level 2 students.

Fred Guzielek for being a perfect Level 3 student.

Adam, Riley, Danielle, Michael, Kate and Ray for being the best clinic students for my Level 3 Clinic one could ask for.

A special Shout out to JT Giovanni. We went through Level 2 and 3 together. Thanks for being the best sounding board anyone could ask for. You’re next, my friend!!

My Parents. Their support and encouragement kept me going. I still need that at 57.

My Brother. He was the first person I ever really knew who became a golf pro. I thought he was nuts when he started, and I was envious when he was done. I knew people who were golf professionals, but I watched him go through the process and become a professional. He made me aspire to the best professional I can be. He wasn’t here to watch my journey, but I know he’s watching and nodding his head in approval. RIP little Brother (who was bigger than me).

JIM YEAGER, PGA <– That’s pretty cool. I think I’ll keep that.