Ten students from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, recently arrived on Coastal Carolina University's campus where they will spend the next two-and-one-half years completing the requirements of the unique international component of Coastal's Professional Golf Management program they began in 1997. Coastal is one of only 10 schools in the United States with an PGM program that has been endorsed by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA). More than 120 students are enrolled in the program. Another group of students from Spain are scheduled to arrive in January.

In the international component of the program, students study in Barcelona for the first three years, concentrating on foundation courses in business and the humanities. For the final two-and-a-half years, the students travel to Coastal, where they matriculate into the PGM program to earn a bachelor's degree in marketing.

"It has long been Coastal's mission to bring an international flavor to our campus," said Coastal President Ronald Ingle. "These students will be on our campus for more than two years, living in residence halls with American roommates and interacting with the campus community. From the outset of the program, the Spanish students wanted to make sure they were integrated with our student-body so they could experience what life is like in the United States. At the same time, our students will have the opportunity to learn about their culture. This is a situation where everyone benefits."

Along with completing the requirements of a marketing degree, students will also serve 16 months of internships at area golf courses. A requirement for admission to the program is proof of a handicap of eight or less. Students must also complete the Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP), a three-level independent course on the business of golf. Those who complete the classwork, internships and GPTP are on course to obtain their PGA Class A certification. The Spanish students will be recognized by the Spanish Royal Federation of Golf and will be awarded its equivalent Class A professional status.

International students participating in Coastal's PGM program include: - Ricardo Bescansa-Pous of Santiago de Compostela, Spain - Edoardo Caltran of Siena, Italy - Javier Chavarria-De-Lorenzo of Zaragoza, Spain - Kostka Horno-Elosegui of Zaragoza, Spain - Alejandro Larrazabal-Corominas of Barcelona, Spain - Bernat Llobera-Oliver of Pollena, Spain - Jose Lizasoain of Malaga, Spain - Salvador Sauleda of Sant Pol de Mar, Spain - Daniel Subirana-Mestres of Barcelona, Spain - Rodrigo Uribe-Guevara of Mexico City, Mexico