Coastal Carolina University and Clemson University, two of the 13 schools in the United States with Professional Golf Management (PGM) programs endorsed by the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA), went head-to-head in the 2002 Director's Cup, a competition established last year to help showcase their unique programs. Coastal defeated Clemson 9-7 to retain the cup they had won in the event's 2001 inaugural competition.

The friendly intrastate match-up was held Oct. 26 and 27 at two of South Carolina's top golf courses, Clemson University's Walker Course and Boscobel Country Club. Each university fielded an eight-person team to compete in a 54-hole Ryder Cup format. Last year's tournament was held at Acardian Shores and the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach. Participants were full-time students enrolled in their school's PGM program.

Coastal's 2002 Director's Cup team was led by first-year student Ryan Corcoran of Omaha Neb. Other Coastal team members were Ricky Lyons of Salem, N.C., Bob Zaleski of Durea Pa., Geoff Hiland of Lakewood, Colo., Charles Chapman of Mt. Grogan, S.C., Chuck Johns of Verona, Pa., Matt Dwyer of Lock Haven, Pa. and Brent Terry of Jersey Shore, Pa. Captaining the 2002 teams were PGA members Dan Drane of Clemson and David Hackney of Coastal.

Coastal initiated its PGM program in fall 1997 in response to the Grand Strand's bustling golf industry, which has more than 100 courses situated within 40 miles of the university. Coastal is also the only institution that has an international component to its PGM program, as more than 20 students from Spain are enrolled in the program.

In Coastal's PGM program, students must complete the requirements of a bachelor of science degree in marketing from the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration and serve 16 months of internships at area golf courses. Those who complete the class work, internship and Golf Professional Training Program are on course to obtain their PGA Class A certification, which is the critical credential for entering a career in the U.S. golf industry. Successful PGM graduates are qualified for a variety of careers, such as club or teaching professionals, sales representatives, general managers, marketing or public relations directors.

To learn more about Coastal's PGM program, contact Charles Thrash, program director, at 349-2639.