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Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA
Director
The Sam Houston State University PGA Golf Management Program is supervised by the Director, Rich Ballinger. Rich is a PGA Master Professional and has served as the Director of the program since inception in February of 2005. Rich is a 1994 graduate of the Ferris State University PGA Golf Management program, where he earned a B.S. in Marketing with a Minor in Professional Golf Management. Rich also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2008 and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in 2018 from Sam Houston State University. For almost 2 years, prior to employment at Sam Houston State University, Rich was the Internship Director for the Coastal Carolina University PGA Golf Management program. Before his tenure at Coastal Carolina University, Rich worked for the Glens Group in South Carolina for 9 years where he was charged with opening two facilities while serving as the Head Golf Professional.
PGA Education
- Class "A" PGA of America Professional - 1996
- PGA Certified Professional - General Management - 2010
- PGA Certified Professional - Golf Operations - 2011
- PGA Master Professional - General Management - 2011
PGA Committees and Task Forces
- PGA of America National Apprentice Task Force - 2006-2008
- PGA of America National PGA/PGM Task Force - 2008-2010
- PGA of America's University Accreditation and Evaluation Team - 2008-2013
- Secretary of PGA Golf Management Education Association - 2010-2011
- Southern Texas PGA Golf 2.0 Committee - 2010-2012
- President of PGA Golf Management Education Association - 2012-2013
- Southern Texas PGA Employment Committee Chair - 2012 - 2014
- PGA of America Adjunct Faculty Member - PGA Master Professional Program - 2012-present
- PGA Subject Matter Expert, Business Planning - 2010 - present
- PGA National Employment Committee - 2015 - 2017
- Southern Texas PGA Education & Employment Committee Chair - 2015 - 2017
- Southern Texas PGA Awards Committee - 2015, 2018
- Southern Texas PGA Education Committee Chair - 2017- present
- PGA National Education Committee - 2019 - present
- Southern Texas PGA Secretary - 2021 - 2023
- PGA of America Special Awards Committee - 2022 - present
- PGA of America Work Experience Task Force - 2022 - present
- PGA of America National/Sectional Employment Outreach Group - 2022 - present
- PGA of America National Education Committee, Co-Chair - 2022 - present
- PGA of America Member Engagement Committee - 2022 - present
- Southern Texas PGA Vice President - 2023 - present
- Southern Texas PGA Finance Committee, Chair - 2023 - present
Honors and Awards
- PGA of America National Professional Development Award for outstanding contributions to golf professional education - 2021
- Southern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year - 2019
- Southern Texas PGA Horton Smith Award (Professional Development Award) for outstanding contributions to golf professional education - 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2017
- Southern Texas PGA Eastern Chapter Golf Professional of the Year - 2019
Box 2056
Huntsville, TX 77341-2056
ballinger@shsu.edu
(936) 294-4810
Cabott Hanes, PGA
Internship Coordinator
Cabott is a Specialized PGA Professional who began his journey in the golf industry through the SHSU PGA Golf Management Program. During his time in the program Cabott worked at many premier facilities such as Hilcrest Country Club (Oklahoma), Keeton Park Golf Course (Texas), Minot Country Club (North Dakota), and Pebble Beach Golf Links (California). In 2017 he graduated from SHSU with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in PGA Golf Management. Prior to joining the PGA Golf Management staff he served as an assistant golf professional at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, and as the lead assistant golf professional at Odessa Country Club.
PGA Education
- Class A PGA Professional - 2018
- Specialized Professional in Executive Management - 2021
PGA Committees
- NTPGA Assistants Committee - 2020-2021
Awards
- 2019 West Texas Chapter Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Box 2056
Huntsville, TX 77341-2056
cjh042@shsu.edu
(936) 294-4812
Kristi Stewart
Administrative Coordinator
Kristi is a proud Sam Houston State alumna, and has been employed with the College of Business Administration since 2009. Kristi was previously an Administrative Assistant within the Department of General Business and Finance before joining the PGA Golf Management program in 2012. Kristi completed both a Bachelor of Science and Master in Higher Education Administration from Sam Houston State University. Kristi was a member of the SHSU Staff Council committee from 2015-2017, and is currently serving on the College of Business Administration Marketing and Communications Committee. Kristi enjoys spending time with her family and anything associated with sports.
Box 2056
Huntsville, TX 77341-2056
kstewart@shsu.edu
(936) 294-4810
