| Sport | Golf |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 10, 1916 |
| Commissioner | Joe Steranka |
| Director | Allen Wronowski |
| Motto | Experts in the game and business of golf |
| Inaugural season | 1916 |
| Country(ies) | United States |
| Founder | Rodman Wanamaker |
| Official website | PGA.com |
Founded in 1916, the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA of America) is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and is made up of more than 28,000 men and women golf professional members. As “the experts in the game and business of golf,” the PGA of America’s undertaking has been to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
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On January 17, 1916, department store manager Rodman Wanamaker hosted a luncheon for a group of New York-area golf professionals and well-known amateur golfers at the Taplow Club in New York City. The purpose of the assembly was to converse on the subject of forming a national association that would promote interest in golf, as well as to help elevate the vocation of golf professionals. Subsequent meetings were held over the next two months, and on April 10, 1916, The PGA of America was created via the 35 charter members signing the constitution and by-laws.[1]
The mission of The PGA of America is to promote enjoyment and involvement in golf among the general public, as well as to contribute to the game’s growth by producing services to golf Professionals and the industry. The PGA seeks to accomplish this mission by enhancing the skills of the PGA Professionals and expanding playing opportunities for the general public, employers and manufactures. Through these efforts, The PGA elevates the standards of the PGA Professional’s vocation, enhances the economic well-being of the individuals PGA member, stimulates interest in the game of golf and promotes the overall vitality of the game.
Today’s PGA Professionals endure rigorous training, instruction, certification, and over 800 hours of education. The PGA professional is not only a talented teacher and player, but also an expert tournament director, merchandiser, Rules administrator, businessperson, and community leader.
To be elected to membership in The PGA, aspirant golf professionals (apprentices) and students must go through three levels of education courses, written exams, simulation testing, seminars, and pass the PGA Playing Ability Test. These men and women have the option to pursue the PGA Education through self-study, by the use of accredited PGA Golf Management Universities, or through an accelerated PGA Golf Management Program.
The PGA conducts a number of major events including the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, PGA Grand Slam of Golf, and the biennial Ryder Cup. The PGA also conducts more than 30 tournaments for its members and apprentices, including the PGA Professional National Championship, PGA Cup, and the TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship, among others.
In 2003, The PGA of America created the Player Development Department within the Association in an endeavor to reach out to new, past and sporadic adult golfers. This is accomplished through the growth, promotion and support of instructional programs and events at PGA member facilities that support adults and families to play golf and have fun doing so. Included in these programs is Play Golf America, instigated in 2004 with the help of the Allied Associations (LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA, and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference).
The PGA Foundation serves as the PGA of America’s philanthropic arm, as it is a charitable, educational, and research organization that was founded in 1954. The Foundation distributes funds to golf instruction and community golf programs, research and education, minority golf programs and junior golf tournaments and events.
The PGA of America has acquired, created, and developed various facilities, including: