Jonathan Gold, PGA (’08), from Pre-Med to the PGA

Jonathan Gold (‘08) remembers walking into his first PGA Professional Golf Management (PGA PGM) class as a first-year student in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management. “There were 20 in the class, and within 30 seconds I knew these people would be in my life for the rest of my life. It was a ‘Welcome to PGM’ class and I still remember thinking that this was my community.”

Jonathan continues to serve the golf community through his role as a Regional Director for the Northeast region of the PGA of America. Jonathan and his team work to support the membership of the PGA with career services, organizing education and training, assisting in the elevation of careers, and growing the game through programs that educate both members and the public.

Jonathan found the game of golf later in life in comparison to many golfers who begin as children. He was introduced to the game by a PGA professional at age 15 or 16 and soon made his high school golf team. Originally from Syosset, NY, Jonathan planned to follow in his father’s footsteps and study medicine. The conversation with that PGA professional changed his trajectory.

“I had good grades at George Washington University, but I wasn’t sure that stack of books required each semester was right for me,” said Jonathan. “After that conversation, I started to think about golf as a career. I reached out to Stevie (now retired RPTM-PGA PGM instructor and advisor Stevie Lovell) to ask about a career in golf. It was just what I wanted. After that, I transferred to Penn State.”

Jonathan’s career took off from there. His internships included Meadowbrook Golf Club and Medalist Golf Club where Tiger Woods is a member. In 2012, he had the opportunity to join the team at the PGA of America.

In his current role, he provides support to PGA professionals, owners of golf courses, Country Clubs, and municipal golf operators in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut.

“For me it was one of those A-HA moments,” said Jonathan. “I felt like I had a debt to repay the PGA for providing me with an amazing opportunity. The PGA of America has over 29,000 members. It is a fulfilling career to help my colleagues be the best versions of themselves and to support the game of golf.”

Jonathan lives by the motto of “Whatever you do, be the best at it.” His time as a Penn State undergraduate in RPTM’s PGA PGM program provided the foundation for his outstanding career. “As students, we were given the resources to be incredibly successful. I am still friends with, and stay in touch with, most of those 20 classmates from that first class in PGM at Penn State.”

Using his degree from Penn State and doing one’s best in a career led Jonathan Gold to the PGA of America. It is just what the doctor ordered.