November 24, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
PGA Professional Al Peterson III is a prime example of how a career in golf is bettering the lives of minorities and individuals who pursue professional status.
Elected into membership as a Class A PGA Professional in December of 2018, Peterson is finishing his fourth year as a Golf Professional at the Country Club of Lincoln in Nebraska. And he’s been busy there, too. Individual lessons increased by more than 600% in his second year and more than 100% in year four. He helped to achieve double-digit sales increases every year and assisted with growing club fittings alone by 13% over the past three years. Certainly, this 2018 National Merchandiser of the Year-Private Clubs, is a valuable asset to the Country Club of Lincoln.
With deep roots in St. Louis, MO., the six foot, 1 inch tall, 2011 Bellevue West High School graduate was a stand-out Honor Role student (2007-2010) who surpassed a GPA of 4.25 (on a 5.0 scale) for five consecutive semesters. Peterson, is on the Nebraska PGA Reach Board of Directors and is a strong believer in building relationships with juniors, members, and guests. He sees it as crucial in growing minority participation in the golf industry as a whole.
In 2019, Peterson became a Callaway Certified Master Fitter—an area he excels in as a strong leader. “One of my goals as an African American PGA Member is to really try to diversify the game of golf specifically in Nebraska. “I know how important it is to diversify the game of golf and increase participation. I strongly believe that the juniors are the future of golf and we need to make strides to accomplishing the goal of increased participation and diversification.,” says 27-year-old Peterson, a zero handicapper who is entering his fourth year as a Golf Professional at the Country Club of Lincoln in Nebraska.
As only the second African American PGA Member in the state of Nebraska to date, behind the late National Award Winner Steve Hogan, Peterson declares, “this is the perfect example of why we need to make changes.”
Outgoing, and a great communicator, Peterson never meets a stranger. He credits his naturally friendly personality for opening doors through interesting conversations with all levels of golfers. “I’ve experienced so much in the golf industry, including the importance of networking, relationship building, and opportunity,” says the first African American graduate at the University of Nebraska, PGA Golf Management Program.
MAKING THE DECISION
But selecting Golf Management as a profession wasn’t an easy decision for him. “I wasn’t 100% sold on this career path and missed playing basketball. I grew up playing basketball only and didn’t really get into golf until high school.” Peterson was honored to qualify and play in the Bill Dickey Invitational in Alpharetta, GA before graduating high school which led him on the path to golf.
In 2019, Peterson was nominated for Assistant Professional of the Year in Nebraska, and cites his tenure at the Country Club of Lincoln as “being the best experience, thus far.” He is also an AGM Platinum Award winner since 2015 (Country Club of Lincoln) for Best of the Best golf shop with outstanding business practices and retail operations.
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With many awards and recognitions, Peterson is not one to rest on his laurels; he is hard at work to make the landscape of golf look more like America, “As a PGA Professional, I want to assist in making golf the greatest game there is and to succeed we have to focus on our youth.”
In his city of Lincoln, Peterson is actively involved with his local community and has developed a close friendship with the Founder and Executive Director of Visionary Youth (VY), a non-profit organization whose focus is to impact families and change lives by supporting youth to reach their full potential. Here, he puts to use his extraordinary skills and years of expertise with junior golf, member relations, events and more….just a few of the many hats that a successful PGA Professional wears.
Peterson is aiming to accomplish his goal in holding a Director of Golf position in the private sector.
