Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate Transition Pathway
Information for Existing Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate Students
Effective December 31, 2025, the Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate will be phased out to make way for the new Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate. The Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate will officially be discontinued December 31, 2026.
If you have successfully completed one to four Maintaining Golf Course Certificate courses as of December 31, 2025, you can apply most of those courses to the new Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate launching in September 2026.
The completion of five required courses fulfills the requirements for the new Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate.
The table below will help you to identify and register for the courses you need to complete the transition to the new Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate.
The first column indicates the current Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate required courses and the second column indicates the new Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate required course pathway. If you have not completed the required course indicated in the first column, look for the replacement or alternate course in the second column.
Transition to the new Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate
| Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate Courses (prior to September 2026) | NEW Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate Courses (available September 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| If you have successfully completed the following course... | ...you will be given credit for the following course: | NEW Student Pathway |
| Turf Management | Turf Management | Complete the Turf Management course. |
| Weed Management | Weed Management | Complete the Weed Management course. |
| Irrigation | Irrigation | Complete the Irrigation course. |
| Arboriculture | This course is not eligible for transfer. | Complete the NEW Insect Pest Management in Turfgrass Systems course. |
| Environmental Management of the Golf Course | This course is not eligible for transfer. | Complete the NEW Disease Management in Turfgrass Systems course. |
| Golf Course Design and Construction | This course is not eligible for transfer. | |
If you have successfully completed courses within the Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate prior to December 31, 2025, the following options are available to you:
Continue Working Towards the Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate.
If you have successfully completed two to five Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate courses as of December 31, 2025, you can continue working towards the Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate.
Upon successful completion of the six required courses, you are eligible to apply to receive your parchment.
Your last date to apply for the Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate is December 31, 2026.
Information for Students Not Currently Enrolled in a Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate Course
If you have not successfully completed any required courses within the Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate prior to December 31, 2025, you will not be able to initiate studies in this certificate program; however, you may begin your studies in the new Turfgrass Systems Management Certificate program, beginning September 2026.
Important Dates
- Transition Period Start Date: December 31, 2025
- Maintaining Golf Courses Certificate Application Deadline: December 31, 2026