The Player Development Leadership Council serves as the capstone leadership project within this portfolio. Its primary objective is to improve student performance on the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Playing Ability Test (PAT) while increasing engagement and motivation in player development activities. As project manager, I transitioned from a faculty-driven model to a student-led framework, granting the Leadership Council increased autonomy in designing programming. The initiative incorporates technology from TrackMan and Foresight GCQuad Max to provide data-informed insights into individual performance, enabling personalized development strategies. While a democratic and laissez-faire leadership style initially supported my goal of fostering autonomy and purpose, a temporary shift to an autocratic approach was necessary to clarify expectations and reestablish structure. This experience underscored the importance of emotional intelligence, relationship-building, and adaptive leadership. The initiative aligns with my core values and aims to establish structured practice as a cultural norm rather than a requirement. A post-project debrief and analysis of PAT outcomes will serve as critical metrics for success and future improvement.

Keywords: PGA, leadership, player development, golf instruction, student engagement, performance assessment

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Keywords: professional golf management, player development, leadership council, golf performance, golf instruction, PGA, leadership development, sports education, mentorship, golf professional training