Buies Creek, N.C.—Keith Hills County Club assistant golf pro Greg Martel has passed the PGA Playing Ability Test (PAT) to earn the designation of PGA Golf Professional. A Campbell graduate, Martel has been an employee of the university since 2001.Martel received his undergraduate degree from Campbell in 2006 and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from Campbell in 2008. His first job at the Keith Hills course was as a golf cart caddy.In order to pass the 36-hole PAT test, an individual must achieve a 36-hole score within 15 shots of the course rating. For example, if the course rating is 72, the target score for the 36 holes would be 159. The PAT test is required to become a Class-A PGA Professional“It is a very difficult program to complete,” Martel said. “Not only does it measure golfing ability, but golfing knowledge as well.”Martel has aspired to be a golf professional since he was in high school. “I really like working with people and dealing with customers on a daily basis,” he said. “I enjoy helping people to improve their golf game.”There are approximately 28,000 PGA professionals world wide that are universally recognized as experts and leaders in golf. The PGA is the world’s largest working sports organization comprised of men and women golf professionals who are experts in expanding, teaching and managing the game of golf.As for the future, Martel, who is a native of Dalton, N.Y., said he is content to be at Keith Hills. “I really enjoy working at Campbell,” he said.Photo Copy: Assistant PGA Golf Professional Greg Martel practices putts at Keith Hills Country Club and Golf Course.
Campbell’s Martel becomes PGA pro