PGM Faculty & Staff

Bob Bruns

Bob Bruns, MBA

Director, PGA Golf Management; Associate Professor of PGA Golf Management
(910) 630-7180
Player 201
Bob Bruns
Bob Bruns, MBA

Director, PGA Golf Management; Associate Professor of PGA Golf Management

B.S.S., Cornell College; M.B.A., University of Iowa; PGA member.

Bio:

Bob received a Bachelor of Special Studies in Business and Economics from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa in 1981, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 1986. Bob’s first job in golf was as the Men’s Golf Coach at Central College, a nationally ranked Division III program, where he coached and taught from 1986-1994. Bob’s teams won nine straight conference championships, competed for the national championship each year, and had multiple All-Americans. Bob was selected the IIAC Conference Coach of the Year seven times and served as the Chair of Division III Men’s Golf for three years.

Bob left coaching and joined the PGA, becoming a member in May 1997. Since then, he has served as an assistant professional, Head professional, General Manager/Director of Golf and General Manger/Managing Partner. Bob has worked for clubs in Iowa, Illinois, and Texas. He hosted three PGA Tour events while General Manager and Director of Golf at TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. Bob served on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Section of the PGA and was voted Section Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Properties in 2003.

Personal Statement:

I have been blessed during my time in golf – it has allowed me to travel to some of the most beautiful places, but more importantly introduced me to many of the special people within our industry. Golf truly is a game based on honesty and integrity, and the players, employees, coaches and fellow PGA Professionals I call friends are those who have, and will, serve our industry well into the future. My job here in the Methodist University PGA/PGM Program simply provides me a chance to give back to a game that has provided so much to my

(910) 630-7180
Player 201
Steve Conley

Steve Conley, MEd

Head Men's Golf Coach; Assistant Professor of PGA Golf Management; Assistant Director, PGM
(910) 630-7146
Player 206
Steve Conley
Steve Conley, MEd

Head Men's Golf Coach; Assistant Professor of PGA Golf Management; Assistant Director, PGM

B.S., Murray State University; M.Ed., Campbell University

Bio:

Serving as an Assistant Professor and the Advising Coordinator for the PGA/PGM program, Conley is in his 34th year at Methodist University (32nd as the Head Men’s Golf Coach). He earned a Master of Education degree from Campbell University (NC) in 1991 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Murray State University (KY) in 1986.

Conley has been a member of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) since 1996. He has achieved the highest level of rating at the PGA-USGA Rules of Golf Workshop. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor and teaches courses in the PGA Golf Management Program-Intro to PGM 1 and 2.

In 2006, Conley was inducted into the Golf Coaches’ Association of America (GCAA) Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the USA South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (2010) and the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame (2012).

During his tenure as the men’s coach, his teams have won 12 NCAA Division III National Championships and 23 of the Monarchs’ 31 USA-South Athletic Conference Championships. His players have won nine individual NCAA Division III National Titles, 96 All-America Honors and 22 All-America Scholar Honors. Representing the GCAA, he coached the USA team to victory in the USA-Japan Matches in Tochigi-Ken, Japan in 1998. He has been awarded Coach of the Year honors by the GCAA seven times nationally in Division III, 16 times in the South Region, and 21 times in the USA-South Athletic Conference.

(910) 630-7146
Player 206
Jerry Hogge

Jerry Hogge, MS

Director Emeritus, PGA Golf Management Program; Associate Professor of Business Administration
(910) 630-7144
Player 202
Jerry Hogge
Jerry Hogge, MS

Director Emeritus, PGA Golf Management Program; Associate Professor of Business Administration

B.A., Elon College; M.S., University of Tennessee; PGA member

Bio:

A native of Poquoson, Va., Jerry Hogge earned his B.A. from Elon University his M.S. from the University of Tennessee. After graduation, Jerry became a faculty member at Kennesaw College in Kennesaw, Ga.

Introduced to golf at 26 by the late Bill Strausbaugh, Jerry became hooked on the game and decided to make it into his career. Earning his PGA Class A Membership in 1977, Jerry first took a position as Assistant Golf Professional at Argyle Country Club in Silver Springs, Md., then Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, Md. a few years later. He became Vice President and Director of Golf at Canaan Valley Resorts in Davis, W. Va., where he directed retail golf and ski operations and managed three full-time food and beverage operations.

In 1987, Jerry became the Director of the PGA Golf Management Program at Methodist College. Under his direction, the Program has graduated over 1,000 graduates and has a 100% job placement since 1989. The Program was accredited by the PGA of America in 1999. Program graduates are the most outstanding and highly sought prospects in the golf industry job market.

Jerry has been recognized by the PGA of America and the Carolinas PGA Section:

  • 1999 Horton Smith Award Recipient – Carolina’s PGA Section
  • 2001 Bill Strausbaugh Carolina’s Section Award Recipient
  • 2002 Bill Strausbaugh National Award Recipient

Teaching Philosophy:

Education is a lifelong progress that allows one to apply principles learned in the classroom to everyday practical application. I attempt to make the classroom an exciting place by applying academic principles through real life stories and situations. The more I facilitate discussion, the more everyone learns and participates. My goal for students is for them to be able to use their education and have a position in the golf industry upon graduation.

(910) 630-7144
Player 202
Ryan Hull

Ryan Hull, BS

Golf Course Superintendent
(910) 630-7688
Golf Maintenance Shop
Ryan Hull
Ryan Hull, BS

Golf Course Superintendent

B.S., Methodist University

Bio:

Ryan received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in PGA Golf Management from Methodist University in 2011 and Professional Golf Turf Management Certification from Rutgers University in 2013. He is a PGA Class A Member, and a GCSAA Superintendent Class B Member.

(910) 630-7688
Golf Maintenance Shop
Alexander Jones

Alexander Jones, MBA

Head Golf Professional; Director of Instruction
(910) 630-7689
Player 205
Alexander Jones
Alexander Jones, MBA

Head Golf Professional; Director of Instruction

B.S., Methodist University; M.B.A., University of Cincinnati

Bio:

Serving as our PGA Head Professional and Director of Instruction for the PGM Program, Alexander is starting his 4th year in this role. He earned his MBA from the University of Cincinnati in 2019 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Methodist University in 2014.

After graduation from Methodist, Alexander was a PGA assistant golf professional at the Chevy Chase Club and PGA teaching professional at Bethpage State Park. He also took a year away from golf to participate in The World Race, an 11-month missionary project traveling to 11 countries in 11 months aiding local churches, schools, or civic groups and spreading the gospel. During this time, Alexander served as a team leader, financial manager and participant of a seven-person team, arranging all of their travel and administering the necessary funds while moving from country to country.

In addition, he is also the staff advisor of PGM Fellowship. This is a faith-based group where students gather for fun activities and bible studies in a healthy community.

(910) 630-7689
Player 205
Anthony Panepento

Anthony Panepento, B.S.

Recruiter, PGA Golf Management
(910) 630-7278
Player 204
Anthony Panepento
Anthony Panepento, B.S.

Recruiter, PGA Golf Management

B.S., Methodist University

 

(910) 630-7278
Player 204
Brock White

Brock White, MBA

PGA Golf Management Internship Director; Instructor of Business Administration
(910) 630-7145
Player 203
Brock White
Brock White, MBA

PGA Golf Management Internship Director; Instructor of Business Administration

B.S., M.B.A., Methodist University; Class A PGA Member

Bio:

Brock is originally from Winton, N.C. and is a 2007 graduate from the PGA Golf Management Program at Methodist University, where he also received his MBA in May 2014. He also became a Certified PGA Professional in Golf Operations in 2019.

Brock’s main passion in golf is golf club fitting, repair, design, and tournament operations. He has been able to learn and study directly from some of the top professionals in the industry. After Graduation, Brock became an Assistant Golf Professional at Carolina Trace Country Club and stayed there for three and a half years before taking his next step as Head Golf Professional at King’s Grant Golf and Country Club. Brock was at King’s Grant for a year and a half before joining the staff at Methodist as the recruiter in November 2011. In September 2016, Brock was then promoted to the Internship Director for the Program.

During your time at Methodist, Brock will be heavily involved in helping you pursue your dreams in the golf industry by helping place you in your four internships. He looks forward to getting to know you and helping you succeed in your career as a PGA Professional.

 

(910) 630-7145
Player 203