P G A C O V E R S T O R Y THE PGA OF AMERICA s 95 TH ANNIVERSARY 1916 2011 THE COUNTDOWN TO THE CENTENNIAL BEGINS AS THE PGA MARKS 95 YEARS AS THE LEADER IN GOLF This month marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the pga of america as an association of golf professionals dedicated to growing participation in the game and enhancing the standards of the profession. Those 95 years are packed with signature moments that left indelible impressions on both the game and the business of golf and helped make the American golf scene what it is today: a sport enjoyed by 27 million recreational golfers and an industry that directly or indirectly supports 2 million jobs, including the more than 27,000 PGA Professionals at its heart as the recognized experts in the game and business. To honor the 95th anniversary, The PGA has selected 95 special moments that reflect the evolution from a fledgling association of mostly Scottish immigrants trying to establish a new profession in a new land, to the world s largest working sports organization that today represents the gold standard in golf. The 95 historic moments are presented chronologically on the following pages, and are joined by a special gatefold presentation of a mural commissioned by The PGA which is on display at both PGA Headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and the PGA Museum of Golf at PGAVillage in Port St. Lucie, Fla. How many of the historic figures depicted in the mural can you name? Go to PGALinks.com to view an interactive version of the mural which will allow you to submit your answers to selected photos. See page 48 for more details. 44 April 2011 www.pgamagazine.com (password: PGAmag007)
Department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker invited a group of golf professionals and top amateurs for lunch at New York City s Taplow Club on Jan 16, 1916. Wanamaker pitched his idea that golf professionals could enhance equipment sales by forming an association.
Jim Barnes George Jacobus Jock Hutchison 1916 1919: Rodman Wanamaker s Vision Becomes Reality; The PGA of America is Born 1Department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker invites a group of golf professionals and top amateurs for lunch at New York City s Taplow Club, Jan. 17, 1916. Wanamaker promotes the idea that golf professionals could enhance equipment sales by forming an association. 2The PGA of America is founded on April 10, 1916, in New York City. 3The inaugural PGA Championship is conducted in October 1916 at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, N.Y. Jim Barnes defeats Jock Hutchison, 1-up, in the Championship match. Rodman Wanamaker donates the trophy and a purse of $2,580. 4The PGA Championship is canceled in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I. The Association asks facilities to hold positions open for PGA members serving in the Armed Forces. The PGA purchases an ambulance for the Red Cross and maintains it throughout the war. 5The PGA Championship resumes in 1919. Jim Barnes successfully defends his title with a 6-and-5 victory over Fred McLeod at Engineers Country Club in Roslyn, N.Y. 1920 1929: Hagen Dominates PGA Championship; The Ryder Cup Tradition Begins 6The first issue of The Professional Golfer of America (now known as PGA Magazine) is published in May 1920, (inset at left). 7In 1921, Walter Hagen becomes the first American-born PGA Champion, defeating two-time winner Jim Barnes, 3 and 2, at Inwood Country Club in Far Rockaway, N.Y. 8Gene Sarazen wins his second consecutive PGA Championship in 1923, defeating Walter Hagen in 38 holes, 1-up, at Pelham Country Club in Pelham Manor, N.Y. 9In 1927, British seed merchant Samuel Ryder presents the Ryder Cup as a prize for the inaugural international competition between American and British professional golfers. The United States defeats Great Britain, 9Qto 2Q, at Worcester (Mass.) Country Club. Also in 1927, Walter Hagen wins a record 10 fifth PGA Championship; his fourth in a row. 1930 1939: Senior PGA Championship Debuts at Augusta National; Ryder Cup Canceled The PGA of America headquarters moves 11 from New York City to Chicago in 1930. Recognized as a dynamic and innovative 12 leader, George Jacobus becomes the first American-born PGA President, serving from 1933 1939. Horton Smith, a PGA member and a future 13 PGA of America President, wins the first Masters, in 1934, at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club. Jock Hutchison wins the inaugural PGA 14 Seniors Championship (later renamed the Senior PGA Championship), in 1937 at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club. George Gordon finishes second, eight shots back of Hutchison. The Vardon Trophy for low scoring average 15 is placed in competition among American professionals in 1937. The first winner is Harry Lighthorse Cooper. Due to World War II, the Ryder Cup is canceled from 16 1939 1945. 1940 49: PGA Hall of Fame Enshrines its First 12 Inductees; PGA Championship Canceled The PGA Hall of Fame is established in 1941. 17 Among the 12 inductees are Tommy Armour, Jim Barnes, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and amateurs Bobby Jones and Francis Ouimet. 46 April 2011 www.pgamagazine.com (password: PGAmag007)
Ben Hogan Inaugural PGA Merchandise Show In 1942, The PGApurchases two ambulances 18 for the Red Cross, distributes clubs and balls at military bases, and raises more than $25,000 for USO, Red Cross, Navy and Army Relief. The 1943 PGA Championship is canceled 19 due to World War II. Also in 1943, The PGA adds a Caucasianonly clause as part of the Association s 20 by-laws, preventing non-whites from membership. The Golf Writers Association of America is 21 organized in 1946 at Portland (Ore.) G.C. during the 28th PGA Championship. The Ryder Cup resumes in 1947 at Portland 22 Golf Club, when Oregon fruit packer Robert Hudson finances the British team. The U.S. wins, 11 to 1. In 1948, Ben Hogan is named the first recipient of the PGA Player of the Year 23 Award. 1950 59: PGA Merchandise Show Begins; The PGA Championship Starts Stroke-Play Era The PGA of America and LIFE Magazine 24 sponsor the first National Golf Day in 1952; raise $80,000 for charity. The inaugural PGA Merchandise Show is 25 held in 1954 at PGA National Golf Club in Dunedin, Fla. Salesmen exhibit from the trunks of their cars. Dow Finsterwald The PGA Golf Professional of the Year 26 Award is established in 1955 to honor PGA members for total contributions to the game. Bill Gordon of Tam O Shanter Country Club in Chicago, Ill., is the first recipient. The PGA of America headquarters moves 27 from Chicago, its home for 26 years, to Dunedin, Fla., in 1956. In 1957, Lionel Hebert defeats Dow Finsterwald, 2 and 1, in the final match-play 28 PGA Championship, held at Miami Valley Golf Club in Dayton, Ohio. The first stroke-play PGA Championship 29 is held in 1958 at Llanerch Country Club in Havertown, Pa., where Dow Finsterwald prevails by two strokes over Billy Casper. The 1958 PGA Championship is also the first to be broadcast live on CBS-TV and radio. 1960 69: The PGA of America Settles in Palm Beach County, Fla.; Debut of PGA Professional National Championship The PGA removes the Caucasian-only 30 clause from the Association s by-laws at its 1961 Annual Meeting. In 1965, The PGA of America moves its 31 headquarters from Dunedin, Fla., to Palm Beach County, Fla. With more than 5,800 members in 1966, 32 The PGA of America turns 50. How many can you name? The PGA of America invites you to see how many of the figures depicted in the 95th anniversary mural you can name. Go to PGALinks.com on or after April 10, 2011 to submit your answers for selected photos. Contest rules will be detailed there as well. Those PGA Professionals who submit all the answers correctly may be eligible to a win a commemorative prize, such as a frameable version of the mural. The contest will begin on April 10 and continue until the end of the month or until a maximum number of submissions is received, whichever comes first. 48 April 2011 www.pgamagazine.com (password: PGAmag007)
The inaugural PGA Club Professional 33 Championship (since renamed the PGA Professional National Championship), debuts in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1968. Howell Fraser of West Caldwell, N.J., is the Champion. The Tournament Players Division of The 34 PGA of America separates in 1968 to form the precursor to the PGATour. The Ryder Cup ends in a draw for the first 35 time in 1969 when Jack Nicklaus concedes a par putt to England s Tony Jacklin. 1970 79: Nicklaus Completes 2nd Career Grand Slam; Major in Golf at Ferris State Jack Nicklaus wins the 1971 PGA Championship, becoming the first player to win all 36 four modern majors twice. The first PGA Cup, featuring PGA Professionals from the U.S. and Great Britain & 37 Ireland in a Ryder Cup-style format, is held in 1973 at Pinehurst (N.C.) Country Club. The PGA Golf Management University 38 Program is established at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., in 1975. The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is created in 39 1979 and raises money for junior golf programs. Andy North and Gary Player finish tied for first in the inaugural event. 1980 89: Jack Matches The Haig s Mark; Europe Comes Alive in Ryder Cup Jack Nicklaus wins his fifth PGA Championship in 1980, matching the all-time 40 record set by Walter Hagen. Also in 1980, Arnold Palmer wins in his 41 debut in the PGA Seniors Championship. In 1981, the new headquarters for The PGA 42 of America is dedicated in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. at PGA National. In 1985, the U.S. loses the Ryder Cup to 43 Europe for the first time since 1957, at The Belfry, in England. The PGA Teacher of the Year Award is 44 established in 1986 to honor outstanding PGA teachers. Manuel de la Torre of Milwaukee (Wis.) Country Club is the first recipient. In 1987, Europe captures the Ryder Cup for 45 the first time on American soil at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio. Also in 1987, Jim Awtrey becomes the first 46 PGA member named Executive Director of The PGA of America. The inaugural PGA Teaching & Coaching 47 Summit, the Association s largest education event, is held in Dallas in 1988. The Booz-Allen Hamilton report provides 48 landmark strategic direction for The PGA. 1990 99: The Ryder Cup Captivates America; PGA Village Opens to the World The PGA mandates demonstrably open 49 membership policies at facilities hosting PGA of America events after racially insensitive remarks are made by the founder of the 1990 PGA Championship host site, Shoal Creek. Other organizations in golf soon follow The PGA s lead. In 1991, ninth alternate John Daly amazingly captures the PGA Championship at 50 Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana. In fall 1991, NBC Sports airs the first fullcoverage live broadcast of the Ryder Cup at 51 The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, S.C. Europe s Bernhard Langer misses a six-foot par putt on the 18th hole, allowing the U.S. to claim its first Ryder Cup in eight years. The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is staged for 52 the first time in Hawaii and is televised in prime time in 1991. Howell Fraser Jack Nicklaus John Daly (password: PGAmag007) www.pgamagazine.com April 2011 49
Tom Wargo Hale Irwin Justin Leonard Tiger Woods In 1993, PGA Club Professional Tom Wargo 53 wins the Senior PGA Championship at PGA National Golf Club in Florida. Jim Awtrey is named the first CEO of The 54 PGA of America in 1993. The PGA World Golf Hall of Fame joins 55 The World Golf Village, a new international golf museum and Hall of Fame near St. Augustine, Fla., in 1995. In 1996, PGA Golf Club debuts in Port St. 56 Lucie, Fla., to promote world-class golf. The PGA of America launches PGA.com 57 in 1996. The PGA Club Professional Championship 58 is nationally televised on the Golf Channel for the first time in 1997. Europe defeats the U.S. in the first Ryder 59 Cup held in continental Europe, at Valderrama Golf Club in Spain, in 1997. In 1998, Hale Irwin becomes the first 60 golfer since Eddie Williams in 1946 to win three consecutive Senior PGA Championships. Alice Dye becomes the first woman to join 61 the PGA Board of Directors in 1998. Also in 1998, Reed Exhibition Companies 62 purchases the PGA Merchandise Show and PGA International Golf Show, later renames it the PGA Fall Expo. Barbara Nicklaus receives the inaugural 63 PGA First Lady of Golf Award in 1998. The Award regularly honors a woman who has made significant contributions to golf. On behalf of the 1999 U.S. Ryder Cup 64 Team, The PGA of America establishes a plan to distribute $2.6 million to charities and Golf: For Business and Life programs at universities across the country. 50 April 2011 www.pgamagazine.com (password: PGAmag007) Justin Leonard drops a 45-foot putt to give 65 the U.S. a come-from-behind 14 Q 13 Q victory over Europe in the 1999 Ryder Cup at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. The PGA Learning Center (later renamed 66 the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance) debuts in 1999 at PGA Village, Port St. Lucie, Fla. 2000 2006: Tiger s Back-to-Back PGA Championships; Suzy Whaley Makes History In 2000, Tiger Woods defeats Bob May in 67 the first-ever three-hole cumulative score playoff at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. Woods becomes the first player in the stroke-play era to win back-to-back PGA Championships. The PGA of America purchases Valhalla 68 Golf Club at the conclusion of the 2000 PGA Championship. The 2001 Ryder Cup is postponed due to 69 the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with the event resuming in even-numbered years in 2002. The PGA donates $500,000, and another $500,000 on behalf of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, to the relief fund. The PGA Education Center opens at PGA 70 Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in 2001. The PGA of America establishes a $2 million 71 Growth of the Game grant in 2001, supporting local programs that introduce new players to golf. In 2002, PGA Professional Suzy Whaley 72 becomes the first woman to win a PGA Section Championship, and the first since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a PGATour event. The PGA Historical Center (later renamed 73 the PGA Museum of Golf) is dedicated in 2002 at PGAVillage, Port St. Lucie, Fla. In 2004, The PGA of America takes the 74 lead in launching Play Golf America, an industry-supported growth of the game initiative.
Dan Rooney William Powell Phil Mickelson closes with a course and event 75 record 59 to win the 2004 PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Poipu Bay Golf Course in Hawaii. In 2005, The PGA of America celebrates 76 40 years headquartered in Palm Beach County, Fla. The PGA establishes the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame at the PGA Museum of 77 Golf. There are 122 inductees in 2005. Also in 2005, The PGA of America and the 78 golf industry institute a goal of raising $5 million for the U.S. Golf Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Joe Steranka is named The PGA s second 79 chief executive officer in 2005. In 2006, The PGA of America begins yearlong celebration of its 90th Anniversary. 80 The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is played outside the United States for the first time in 81 2006, at The Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda. The PGA is honored by the U.S. House of 82 Representatives in 2006 with a Resolution that commends the Association and its members. The first-ever PGAGlobal Economic summit 83 opens the PGA Merchandise Show. In 2007, the inaugural Patriot Golf Day, 84 inspired by PGAProfessional and F-14 pilot Dan Rooney, results in donations of more than $1.1 million to support the families of veterans. Also in 2007, The Royal Bank of Scotland 85 Group becomes the first PGA of America Official Patron, the highest level of partnership and designation ever bestowed by The PGA. The PGA unveils its new logo and brand 86 strategy - The Experts in the Game and Business of Golf - at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Martin Kaymer The University of Maryland Eastern Shore 87 becomes the 20th and first historically black college/university to join the PGA Golf Management University Program in 2008. Also in 2008, Padraig Harrington becomes 88 the first European since Tommy Armour in 1930 to win the PGA Championship, at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan. PGA Life Member William Powell of East 89 Canton, Ohio, receives the 2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award. Powell, then 92, is the only African American to design, build, own and operate a golf course in the United States. The PGA of America and Cat Island Partners Ltd. break ground in 2009 for the 90 first PGAVillage to be developed outside the U.S. Y.E. Yang becomes the first Asian-born male 91 golfer to win a major golf championship when he captures the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. In 2009, The PGA of America bestows 92 posthumous membership upon three African-American golf pioneers Ted Rhodes, John Shippen and Bill Spiller; and grants posthumous honorary membership to world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis for contributions to golf. Sue Fiscoe of Modesto, Calif. becomes the 93 first woman district director elected to the PGA of America s Board of Directors, in 2009. WE ARE GOLF, is established in 2010 by 94 The PGA of America, the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association of America to change the face of golf. Martin Kaymer captures the 2010 PGA 95 Championship at Whistling Straits to become the first German PGA Champion. 52 April 2011 www.pgamagazine.com (password: PGAmag007)