When NMSU senior Brent Barker arrived at New Mexico State University, his journey looked much different than what he had originally planned.
Born and raised in San Diego, Calif., he initially pursued a career in aviation. He earned an associate degree in professional aeronautics at Miramar College and was close to becoming a licensed pilot. But he faced a difficult reality.
“I got to a point where I realized I couldn’t continue down that path without taking on significant debt,” he said. “I had to step back and figure out what I really wanted to do.”
He worked two jobs while considering his options, one of which was at a golf course. Brent’s father, having seen the success of his friend’s son at NMSU, suggested that Brent look into NMSU’s PGA Golf Management Program.
A visit to campus changed everything. After meeting with PGA Golf Management faculty, Brent recognized the opportunities available through the program.
Today, he is preparing to graduate this semester from the NMSU College of Business with a degree in marketing and an emphasis in PGA Golf Management.
Discovering a Passion for the Golf Industry
Since arriving at NMSU, he has taken advantage of opportunities that have solidified his career goals and introduced him to destinations and experiences he never imagined.
His internships have taken him across the country, from Knickerbocker Country Club in New Jersey, to Kapalua Golf in Hawaii. This summer, he is completing an internship at Fishers Island Club on the eastern end of Long Island, New York — one of the top golf 16 courses in the world.
“If not for the PGA program, I wouldn’t have known these places even existed. Each internship has taught me so much and helped me fall even more in love with this career path,” he said.
Brent has also embraced leadership opportunities within the NMSU PGA Golf Management Student Association. Elected vice president as a sophomore and president his junior year, he represented NMSU at PGA annual meetings, industry conferences, and PGA Shows in Orlando, Florida: “Those opportunities helped me feel in my heart how committed I was to this profession.”
Scholarships That Make a Difference
For out-of-state students, financing an NMSU education has unique challenges.
“A lot of students have access to in-state tuition and the Lottery Scholarship, which is great,” he said. “For students like me coming from outside New Mexico, every scholarship dollar matters.”
Brent credits donor-funded scholarships with helping to make his education possible. One scholarship that has had a particularly meaningful impact is the Gage Gavin Memorial Endowment Scholarship, which Brent has received since 2024.
Through the annual Gavin family golf tournament and the generosity of supporters who contribute to the endowment, students in the PGA Golf Management Program receive critical financial assistance.
“I’ve volunteered at the tournament and seen firsthand how much the family cares about honoring Gage through supporting students,” he said. “I’m thankful to be one of the recipients. What they’ve created helps so many of us.”
Another scholarship that left a lasting impression was the Eric Gannon Memorial PGA Management Scholarship.
When Brent had the opportunity to meet members of the Gannon family, the experience became about so much more than financial support.
“They shared stories about Eric and told me I reminded them of him,” he said. “That was really touching. It made me realize these scholarships represent real people and real families who want to help students succeed.”
For Brent, scholarship events like the College of Business Scholarship Luncheon helped connect him and recipients with the people behind their awards.
“It’s meaningful to sit with donors and family members and hear the stories behind the scholarships,” he said. “You see that it’s more than money for tuition. There’s a personal connection behind these gifts.”
Building a Future Through the College of Business
Beyond financial support, he says the College of Business has played a major role in both his academic and professional growth.
He regularly attended College of Business meetings as a student leader and appreciated learning about resources available to help students succeed, from emergency funding opportunities to professional certifications.
He also credits faculty members for their mentorship and support.
“The professors are phenomenal,” he said. “I’ve learned so much from them, both in the classroom and during one-on-one conversations. If I need help, I know I can go to them.”
Looking Ahead
After graduating in December, he plans to complete the final PGA requirements through a winter placement before pursuing a career as an assistant golf professional at a high-end golf club. Long term, he hopes to become a head golf professional or a director of golf.
Looking back, he sees his journey to NMSU as an unexpected turn that ultimately led him exactly where he was meant to be.
“I came here because I loved golf,” he said. “What I found was a career path, caring mentors, professional and personal connections, and opportunities I never would have imagined. Scholarships helped make all that possible.”
You can make your gifts to the Gage Gavin Memorial Endowment Scholarship and the Eric Gannon Memorial PGA Management Scholarship below:
Gage M. Gavin Memorial PGA Golf Management Endowed Scholarship