Sanya, China: Robert Davis III, Director of Golf at the PGA Learning & Performance Centre at Yalong Bay, has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America member can obtain.

Davis, a member of the International PGA Section and the third African American to become a PGA Master Professional, joins a special group of 436 PGA Members who have earned PGA Master Professional status.

He follows in the footsteps of Richard Brown and Anthony Stepney who became the first two African American PGA Master Professionals in 2019.

Having achieved his designation in Teaching & Coaching, Davis is supporting the global expansion of golf as the first PGA Master Professional to work in China.

The PGA Master Professional programme was established in 1969 to recognise PGA Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations.

The programme is designed to ensure PGA Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations, and Teaching and Coaching Designations.

“Achieving PGA Master Professional designation has been a long-time dream of mine,” said Davis. “Through hard work and dedication, I’m extremely honoured to be recognised alongside some of the most distinguished PGA Professionals in the game.

“I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to continue to grow the sport across the globe, while serving as a mentor to young and aspiring PGA Members.”

Davis played golf at Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Florida, before transferring to and graduating from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

After graduating, he immediately began his journey toward PGA Membership, serving as an Assistant PGA Professional and Golf Instructor at facilities in the Midwest, Middle Atlantic and Northern Texas PGA Sections, including a stint as General Manager of The Golf Club at Twin Creeks in Texas.

For most of 2022 he served as the Woodbridge Golf Club PGA Head Professional in Wylie, Texas. His journey to help spread the game globally began last October, as he moved overseas to follow his passion of teaching and growing the game. 

The PGA of America is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.