Teeing Off Excellence: Exploring the University of Maryland Golf Program

The University of Maryland (UMD) boasts a comprehensive golf program designed to cater to a wide range of individuals, from aspiring junior players to seasoned professionals and university staff. With a focus on instruction, competition, and career development, the program offers various avenues for individuals to pursue their passion for golf.

Junior Golf Development

The University of Maryland is home to Nike Junior Golf Camps that provide young golfers, aged 10-18, with an immersive and valuable experience. These camps, held just outside Washington D.C., welcome players of all ability levels. The overnight camp option includes golf instruction from Division I coaches, overnight stay, course play, meals, and supervised evening activities. Campers stay on campus at UMD and travel to the University of Maryland Golf Course and Paint Branch Golf Course for daily instruction and course play with the staff.

Camp Structure and Curriculum

The Nike Junior Golf Camps at the University of Maryland offer a structured program designed to improve fundamental skills. The All Abilities program focuses on putting, chipping, bunker play, and full-swing techniques. Campers receive morning instruction followed by afternoon course play. During the week, campers work on short game, putting, approach shots, and course management, and test their new skills in weekly competitions and 18-hole tournaments.

Facilities and Supervision

Campers practice and play at the University of Maryland Golf Course, an 18-hole semi-private championship course located on the north perimeter of the University's flagship campus. They also utilize the 9-hole "Paint Branch" course at the Paint Branch Golf Complex. Campers are grouped by age, ability, and experience to ensure appropriate instruction and competition. The staff-to-camper ratio is 1:8, ensuring close supervision at all times. Staff members live in adjacent rooms to overnight campers.

Testimonials and Experiences

Participants in the Nike Golf Camp at Maryland rave about the experience. One camper shared, "Nike Golf Camp taught me a lot about my game. The week was a valuable experience for me and I had a great time with all of the staff and campers!" Another camper was entirely satisfied, had a lot of fun and would go back. Many campers report improvements in their game, with one noting that their putting improved the most, but they felt they were an all-around better player. The small group teaching environment is perfect, providing just enough attention from the coaches while allowing for fun with other campers.

Practical Information for Campers

The Nike Junior Golf Camp at the University of Maryland offers both overnight and extended day options. Registration occurs on Sunday, with the first golf session taking place after check-in. Camp graduation is held on Wednesday at the UMD Golf course. Overnight campers receive all meals during camp, while extended day campers receive lunch and dinner. Campers stay in Cambridge Hall on campus at UMD. Campers should supply their own golf clubs, glove, golf balls, and tees. Campers are housed in double rooms, and roommate requests must be received no later than 14 days before the start of camp. Linens are not provided, and the bed size is Twin XL. A key deposit is required, and spending money is recommended for snacks and souvenirs.

Collegiate Golf Teams

The University of Maryland is home to both men's and women's golf teams. These teams compete at the Division I level and provide opportunities for talented golfers to represent the university in intercollegiate competition.

Women's Golf Program Leadership

Kelly Hovland is the head coach of the University of Maryland women’s golf team and serves as Camp Director for the Nike Junior Golf Camp. Hovland was named head coach after serving as an assistant coach and helping the Terrapins to back-to-back record-setting seasons. She is excited to lead the program and build on the momentum of last season’s NCAA Championship appearance and Top-20 ranking. Hovland played a critical role in the formation of the women’s program at the Naval Academy for seven seasons (2012-19). She is a Class-A member of both the PGA of America (PGA) and Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Hovland played four years of Division I collegiate golf at Southern Illinois, where she won the 2004 Missouri Valley Conference individual title and led the Salukis to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) team title in 2007. She earned MVC All-Conference honors in all four years of her career, including Academic All-American honors in 2005, 2007-08.

Notable Players

Hollandsworth played Division I golf at Virginia Tech from 2014-19, completing her collegiate career with 14 top-10 finishes, including a fifth-place finish at the 2019 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship. She turned pro in May 2019 and currently competes on the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour.

PGA Golf Management Program

For individuals seeking a career in the golf industry, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) offers a PGA Golf Management program. This program integrates the curriculum of a Hospitality and Tourism Management major with the knowledge and experience needed to become an expert in professional golf management.

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Curriculum and Experiential Learning

The PGA Golf Management program at UMES is a 120-credit hour program that develops a well-rounded skill set in management and service. The curriculum includes disciplines such as:

Professional Golf Management Internship: A 12-week, supervised, and paid internship at a PGA-approved golf facility.
Entrepreneurship: Focus on the planning, management, and assessment of business operations.
Sport Psychology: In-depth study of human behavior during sports and physical activities.

Every student in the program completes a 16-month internship primarily employed on a full-time basis. Students can choose between many facilities, including country clubs, military golf courses, resorts, public and municipal courses, PGA headquarters, and PGA-recognized golf ranges.

Accreditation and Technology

The UMES PGA Golf Management program is accredited by the PGA of America, meaning that the education and experience meets the highest standards of excellence in golf expertise. Students receive expert guidance on using sophisticated technology to analyze golfers’ skills and improvement.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the PGA Golf Management program can pursue various career paths in the golf industry, including:

Golf course superintendents/managers
Golf professionals
Entrepreneurs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for professionals in entertainment and sports are expected to grow significantly, making this a promising career path for passionate golfers.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Scholarships and Inclusivity

UMES is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity and offers one of the best-value PGA management programs in the nation. PGA Golf Management majors may be eligible for scholarships through the School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology, and Tourism Management.

Golf Course Facilities

The University of Maryland boasts two golf course facilities: the University of Maryland Golf Course and the Paint Branch Golf Course.

University of Maryland Golf Course

The University of Maryland Golf Course is an 18-hole semi-private championship course located on the north perimeter of the University's flagship campus. It serves as the home course for the Terrapins’ men’s and women’s golf teams.

Paint Branch Golf Course

The Paint Branch Golf Course is a 9-hole course at the Paint Branch Golf Complex facility in College Park, Maryland. It features 2,035 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 31. The course rating is 60.4, and it has a slope rating of 94. The estimated green fees for 9 holes is $30. Paint Branch Golf Complex Golf Club has an onsite driving range.

Memberships

The University of Maryland Golf Course offers various membership options to fit different golf needs.

Membership Types

Full Membership: Runs from April 1 thru March 31 of the following year.
Weekday Membership: Runs from April 1 - March 31 of the following year.
Corporate Membership: Runs from January 1 - December 31 of the same calendar year.
Student Memberships: Available to current UMCP students, full-time students at any UM System School, and youths under the age of 18.
Black & Gold Membership: Runs April 1 thru March 31 of the following year.

Membership Benefits and Requirements

A donation to the UMCP Foundation Tee to Green fund is required when renewing or activating a membership. Tee to Green contributions are tax deductible and help identify the donor’s relationship to the University of Maryland, College Park. Faculty/Staff memberships are available to any University of Maryland University System employee regardless of affiliation to UMCP. Sixty (60) 18-hole rounds of golf with a cart are included in some memberships. Rounds may be used at any time Monday - Friday & after 1:00 PM on weekends and holidays (with a surcharge for weekends and holidays before 1:00 PM). Add-ons to memberships are available for an additional cost, such as bag storage.

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