Faculty and Staff in Professional Golf Management
G. Burch Wilkes, IV
Director
Burch Wilkes serves as the Director of the Penn State University Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program. Prior to being named Director, Burch was the Assistant Director of the PGM Program from 1997-2005. During this time, Burch also served as the Director of Merchandising at the Penn State Golf Courses, when Golf World Business Magazine recognized it for three consecutive years as one of "America's Best 100 Golf Shops". Prior to 1997, he was an Assistant Professional with Marriott Golf. Burch serves as a Faculty member at Penn State and teaches the Golf Operations Management course required in the PGM Program, a section of the First Year Seminar course for all Penn State students, and additional RPTM/PGM Program courses. He is also a Ph.D degree candidate in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at Penn State, focusing his research on issues related to the golf industry. Burch completed a M.S. degree in Recreation and Park Management at Penn State University in 1994, and a B.S. degree in Sport Management at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C. in 1990.
Stevie Lovell
Assistant Director
Stevie Lovell received her Master's as well as her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Park Management at the Pennsylvania State University. She is involved in assisting with the administration of the PGM program, advising PGM students on academic issues, as well as monitoring student's progress through the PGA's Professional Golf Management program and coordinating PGM checkpoints. Stevie has served on the Penn State faculty in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management since 1990. She currently teaches the Introduction to Recreation Services course, as well as team-teaching PGM specific classes and the First Year Seminar course.
Eric Handley
Assistant Director
Eric Handley received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a concentration in Sports Management from North Carolina State University. Prior to arriving at Penn State, Eric has been a golf professional within the industry for over 6 years. Facilities such as St. Ives Country Club in Atlanta, Georgia, Treyburn Country Club in Durham, North Carolina, and the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia top his list of experiences. Now as a faculty member with the Penn State PGM department, Eric is involved with advising PGM students on academic issues, helping students select internship sites, serving as liaison between the students and the PGA professionals, coordinating the Player Development Program, facilitating students' progression toward PGA membership, and team-teaching PGM specific classes and the First Year Seminar course.
Darla Houseman
Staff
Assistant
Darla Houseman is an integral part of the entire PGM program. In addition to being responsible for all student records & alumni information, she can also be found working on maintaining program calendars, handling & processing all financial transactions in the program and providing much needed support at our many PGM events.
Dr. Frank Guadagnolo
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Frank Guadagnolo served as the Professor-in-Charge of the Penn State Professional Golf Management Program from its inception in 1990 until 2005. For several years, Dr. Guadagnolo conducted marketing seminars for hundreds of PGA professionals throughout the United States. While retired from the Professional Golf Management program, Dr. Guadagnolo remains active in the industry through his research and consulting.