James Billings, an assistant golf professional in the Bandon Dunes shop at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has received the highest educational designation a PGA of America member can obtain.
Billings earned the PGA Master Professional status recently.
He became the 489th PGA member to achieve the designation and the third currently on the Bandon Dunes resort team.
“From the very beginning, the highest level of education was never not an option for me to pursue,” Billings said in a story on the PGA of America Pacific Northwest Section website. “This was something I always felt like I was going to do, and it’s a dream come true to achieve this and further give back to the golf community the way my golf teachers gave to me growing up.”
Billings joins General Manger Jeff Simonds and Grant Rogers, Director of Instruction Emeritus, as Bandon Dunes team members who have earned the PGA Master Professionals distinction.
The PGA Master Professional Program recognizes PGA of America members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to professional development and maintain the highest standard of excellence across their operations.
The curriculum prepares golf professionals to meet evolving industry demands within three specialized designations: executive management, teaching and coaching, and golf operations, the category Billings was honored in.
Billings was raised in Vancouver, Wash., and grew up around golf. He started working at a local course while he was in high school and studied in the Professional Golf Management program at the University of Idaho. He was an assistant professional at both Royal Oaks Country Club and Palouse Ridge Golf Club before graduating from college. He was elected as a PGA member in 2016 and became director of golf operations at Juniper Golf Course before joining the Bandon Dunes team in 2024.
“I’m really close with the golf shop and outside service teams, as well as the other courses at the resort,” Billings said. “Going through the process of becoming a PGA Master Professional improves my collaboration and teamwork skills and how I can work to develop young associates. I’m very lucky that we already have two Master Professionals on-site at Bandon Dunes, so I hope this adds to our team and makes us stronger.”
Master Professional status is reserved for PGA members with at least 10 years of membership who have earned advanced credentials through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional programs. Candidates must complete an extensive, project-based curriculum aligned with their specific designation and successfully present their findings to earn the title.
“You can’t beat this game; you can only get better,” Billings said. “I am very grateful for what I’ve been able to do and to play this game with my family. Everything I’ve achieved in my life has been through faith, family and golf, and I get to enjoy life. At the end of the day, I get to come to work in paradise every day and be a resource to my team.”