U.S. Air Force Veteran Edward Britton of Arizona Earns PGA Master Professional Designation

PGA Member who once led Arnold Palmer on an F-16 training mission earns the PGA’s highest educational achievement

Editors:
For a headshot photo of PGA Master Professional Edward Britton, click here.
For a photo of Edward Britton and Arnold Palmer from F-16 training, click here (low res). 

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (March 18, 2019) – The PGA of America has announced that United States Air Force Veteran Edward Britton (retired Lt. Col./F-16 Instructor Pilot)—a PGA Teaching Professional at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Tucson, Arizona—has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation that can be obtained by a PGA Member.

During his time in the military, Britton had the privilege of leading Arnold Palmer on a training mission in an F-16. Palmer’s influence proved integral, as it led Britton to his own pursuit of PGA Membership.

There are currently 371 PGA Professionals that have earned PGA Master Professional status. Britton, a PGA Member for 24 years, received his PGA Master Professional certification in Teaching and Coaching.

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) is available to any of the PGA of America’s nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals who have achieved advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professional Program, which was launched in 2004. The curriculum is comprised of an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA Professional. Upon approval of the project and successful completion of a presentation, a PGA Member will earn the prestigious PGA Master Professional status. To be eligible, the program requires a minimum of eight years of PGA Membership.

After a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force—where he served as a pilot and trained service members on how to fly everything from helicopters to the F-16 Fighting Falcon—Britton hung up his pilot boots in 1991, and put on his golf shoes, dedicating himself to the game.

Earning PGA Membership in 1994, Britton began as a golf shop assistant and moved up the ranks to PGA Head Professional and General Manager. Prior to his role at PGA TOUR Superstore, Britton served as the PGA Teaching and Coaching Instructor at Quail Canyon Golf Course in Tucson, Arizona; spent five years (2009-2014) running the Ed Britton Golf School in Poznan, Poland; and worked as an instructor at the John Jacobs Golf Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Becoming a Master Professional and being part of a fraternity that includes so many respected PGA Members is incredibly humbling,” said Britton.

Prior to becoming a PGA Master Professional, Britton earned PGA Certified Professional status in Teaching & Coaching, in 2014. He also became a Certified Level 2 Putting Instructor under the guidance of Phil Kenyon, the European Ryder Cup Team’s putting coach.

PGA Members Richard Prange, PGA Assistant Head Golf Professional and Director of Instruction at Desert Mountain Golf Club, in Scottsdale; and Kevin Compare, PGA Master Professional in Palm City, Florida, served as mentors during Britton’s golf career.

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) was established in 1969, to recognize PGA Members who have made a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. As part of its Member education curriculum, the PGA MPP 2.0 program was designed to ensure PGA Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of PGA Professionals who daily work to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAon Twitter and find us on Facebook.

Contact:
Michael Abramowitz,  PGA of America mabramowitz@pgahq.com  561/624-8458
Jared Minski,  Mastro Communications jared@mastrocomm.com  732/469-5700

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