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Alumni Spotlight: Katie Hamilton

Posted on March 7, 2018

Katie Hamilton began her journey in golf back in 2001. Ten years later she was enrolled at the Professional Golfers Career College to pursue her career in the golf industry. Hamilton discovered the college through a commercial and enrolled after touring the Temecula campus. She has since gone on to become the Certified PGA Head Professional at Emerald Lakes Golf Course in Elk Grove, California. Where she’s enjoying helping grow the game that she loves.

Katie Hamilton was born and raised in Orange, California. Golf became an activity which bonded her and her father. Hamilton shares, “I started playing the game in 2001 with my dad as a way to spend time together. My dad travels a lot for his job, so we played when he came home.” Along with golf, growing up Hamilton was also a dancer, “types of dance I did were tap, jazz, ballet, hard shoe Irish, soft shoe Irish, and modern.” When she attended Villa Park High School she competed on their varsity golf team.

Hamilton pursued and earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Santiago Canyon College prior to PGCC. While at Santiago Canyon College she played on the women’s golf team and in junior golf tournaments during the summer. After Santiago Canyon College she knew she “wanted to be in the golf industry as an instructor and thought going to a trade school would be a good start to learning more about the industry.” After seeing a commercial for the Professional Golfers Career College, she toured our Temecula campus and was enrolled for the following semester.

Katie & Jason Hamilton

“PGCC helped confirm what I wanted to do in the golf world,” Hamilton shared. While PGCC influenced Hamilton’s professional life, it also had a significant impact on her personal life. “My favorite memories were the friendships I built with the other students from around the world.” She enjoyed having classmates with a common goal: “to have fun growing the game.” She maintains contact with her fellow PGCC students, including a friend who resides in Australia. Hamilton even met her husband at PGCC. “I still talk to students to this day and I even married my best friend who was in the same class as me (Jason Hamilton) we were class of April 2012.” They got married in August 2017.

Maintaining the friendships and relationships made while at PGCC coincides with one of the most important lessons Hamilton learned at PGCC. “It’s not what you know but who you know to get further in this industry. All instructors emphasized building relationships and it holds true.” Hamilton utilized the power of networking and relationship building to help her progress in the golf world. “That’s how I’ve succeeded in this industry the most.”

Dr. Tim Somerville with Katie Hamilton at PGCC’s Graduation

Upon graduating the Professional Golfers Career College with an Associate’s Degree in Professional Golf Management, Hamilton pursued a PGA membership, which she acquired in three years. Her first position after PGCC was at Mile Square Golf Course, in Fountain Valley, CA, where she was an Assistant Golf Professional. Hamilton moved to Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, in Sacramento, CA, to be an Assistant Golf Professional there. She was able to obtain more industry knowledge while at Haggin Oaks. “I got certified in Player Development in the PGA while working at Haggin Oaks. This job helped me learn great club fitting skills, TrackMan (golf launch monitor), and how to be a successful coach as well.”

Katie Hamilton is now working at the Emerald Lakes Golf Course, in Elk Grove, CA, as the Certified PGA Head Professional. “I love this job.” She elaborates on what she enjoys about her position, “I have the freedom to build player development programs, implement a fitting system, and generate rounds of golf. But also use the power of community outreach and social media to help the course succeed.”

The highlights of Hamilton’s career in golf so far “are being a Certified PGA in Player Development. Being PGA HOPE certified.” PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) assists disabled Veterans learn the game of golf to enhance their overall well-being. “It is so fulfilling to teach golf to our veterans,” Hamilton exclaims. She truly enjoys sharing the game with everyone and finds it the most rewarding part of her work. “I love coaching. It is so rewarding to help people improve their game, learn the game for the first time, and fit players into their dream set of clubs.”

Katie & Jason Hamilton on the tee box

“I love getting to grow the game.” Helping golf grow is what Hamilton likes most about working as a golf professional. Getting the chance to influence the game and provide an example of what being a golf professional means, both on and off the course. Being part of a game which has been played by so many great golfers that she learned about while attending PGCC. “My absolute favorite is Annika Sörenstam. She was a great role model for the game of golf.” For those who may also have a passion for golf and desire to grow the game, PGCC is the place for you. Hamilton explains, “If you are looking to explore what the golf industry has to offer the school is a great start.”

Katie Hamilton leaves us with this final piece of advice: “To all professionals and golfers: keep this game simple. Keep it fun.”

Categories: Alumni Spotlight

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