Each year, Rebels move on into the golf world to make a positive difference. In 2022, the renowned UNLV PGA Golf Management program once again celebrated the senior class that spent four years learning and contributing to the Las Vegas golf community It was a celebration of what it means to be a Rebel Forever. –By Luc Grenier, student, UNLV Professional Golf Management
The UNLV PGA Program outline comes with extensive training and learning opportunities that occur both in the classroom and with on-course practical training. Through various internships spanning over a total of 16 months during the 4-year program, these students are the next generation of golf industry professionals from every side of the business.
Held at Siena Golf Club, the UNLV PGA Senior Send Off is an annual occasion when each of the seniors are celebrated for their hard work and dedication to one of UNLV’s most challenging and demanding programs.
The 15 students graduating from this year’s class were surrounded by friends, family, and faculty members who all took in the momentous occasion.
The event was kicked off by UNLV PGA Alum Matt Henderson, who is also one of Golf Digest’s “best young teachers.” Henderson spoke about how important it is to build relationships in the industry and continue to hold onto the ones you’ve built during the UNLV program.
Dr. Chris Cain, the director of the program, said it best when he spoke about what it means to be a Rebel Forever.
“You all came here extraordinary, which meant that you were now all part of a group of extraordinary people, and now each and every one of you have pushed yourselves beyond that” said Cain. “This moment is the most special one of all, and it is important to us in the program that you know how important it is to us that the students understand how large of an accomplishment it is to get beyond this point”.
The seniors participated in an open opportunity to speak about their experience at UNLV and what it meant to them.
Each and every student that stood up and spoke noted several different moments that they will cherish forever. However, there was one common thread that stood out among the speeches: the word “family”. Each student that stood up mentioned that every single day, UNLV PGA gives you your own place to go and get away from the standard college campus life, a place that allows you to be yourself and know that, no matter what, the faculty and fellow students are there for you.
Hunter Dimock, a graduating senior and consistent member of the UNLV PGA Student Association, described the event as “Bittersweet”.
“It was truly special for me to enjoy that moment surrounded by my family and all of the great friends I have made over the last 4 years” Dimock said. “For the first time, I got to feel that my hard work and dedication paid off. I couldn’t be more proud to be a Rebel Forever”.
The students and faculty participated in the annual flag and pinning ceremony, which saw each student receiving their own commemorative UNLV PGA flag signed by each member of the graduating class. This night not only served as a memory and closing point to what has been a challenging 4-year journey, but also a turning point in which these students will be pushing to be the next generation of golf professionals in the industry.