PGA Master Professional is the Association’s highest educational designation
Editors:
For photos of Chris Johnson, click here.
For photos of Mike Johnson, click here.
FRISCO, Texas – The PGA of America has announced Chris Johnson, PGA Lead Teaching Professional at Kalamazoo Country Club in Kalamazoo, Mich., and Mike Johnson, PGA Director of Golf at Lake Hickory Country Club in Hickory, N.C., (no relation) have achieved PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation available within the Association.
The newly named Master Professionals join a distinguished group of PGA of America Members as the 482nd and 483rd, respectively, to achieve the designation.
The PGA Master Professional program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as Golf Professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their facilities. The curriculum is designed to ensure Golf Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations.
Chris earned his Master Professional designation in Teaching & Coaching. He was recently hired as the Lead Instructor at Kalamazoo CC after serving as the Director of Instruction at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Mich., from 2024-26. He spent four years in the Pacific Northwest Section as the Director of Instruction at Riverside Golf & Country Club in Portland, Ore., and was a Member of the Colorado Section from 2008-20, working at several facilities. He graduated from the Ferris State Professional Golf Management Program in 2007.
“Becoming a PGA Master Professional represents the highest standard in our field, and I’m honored to have reached this milestone,” Chris said. “I have always been passionate about the teaching and coaching side of golf. Joining Kalamazoo Country Club as Lead Coach marks an exciting new chapter in my career. In my presentation, I outlined my intentional journey through the PGA of America, and while I feel proficient in all aspects of golf instruction, this journey taught me that a great coach is never done learning.”
Mike earned his Master Professional Designation in Golf Operations. In June, he begins as Director of Golf at Lake Hickory Country Club in Hickory, N.C. Previously he was the Head Golf Professional at Golf Brevard in Malabar, Fla., a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates The Habitat Golf Course in Malabar and Spessard Holland Golf Course in Melbourne Beach. From 2021-2025 he was the Director of Golf at Suntree Country Club in Melbourne, Fla.. Mike went through the PGA Professional Golf Management Program as an Assistant Pro in 2007 at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, eventually becoming the Head Professional in 2015.
“I’ve been working towards becoming a PGA Master Professional for a long time,” said Mike, a PGA of America Member since 2013. “I knew very early on when I became a Member of the Association that I wanted to pursue the highest designation. I want to be the best professional for the club I work for and I think continuing my education was one way to work towards that. I am honored to be a part of an exceptional group of professionals.”
The PGA Master Professional program is available to individuals with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership, along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs.
The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Jesse Dodson, PGA – PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com
