Derek Sprague Named PGA of America CEO Amid Leadership Changes

Derek Sprague has been appointed as the new CEO of the PGA of America, marking the first time in nearly two decades that a club professional has been chosen to lead the organization. Sprague, a longtime golf industry veteran, brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as PGA president and spending 25 years managing his hometown Malone Golf Club in New York.

Sprague steps into the role following the tenure of Seth Waugh, a former Deutsche Bank Americas CEO who led the PGA of America since 2018. Waugh announced his retirement earlier this year, paving the way for a leadership transition.

PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. praised Sprague’s deep-rooted understanding of the association, stating, “To have a leader at the helm who knows every detail of the association and what it means to be a PGA of America Member will enable our association to succeed far into the future.”

A PGA of America member since 1993, Sprague most recently served as general manager of TPC Sawgrass, one of the most renowned golf courses in the world. Before that, he worked at Liberty National in New Jersey, overseeing the club during its hosting of the Presidents Cup. His extensive background in club operations and professional golf administration makes him well-positioned to guide the organization through a period of change.

Golf is currently undergoing significant leadership shifts across multiple governing bodies. The R&A recently saw the retirement of CEO Martin Slumbers, while the LPGA experienced a transition as Mollie Marcoux Samaan stepped down as commissioner. Guy Kinnings is completing his first year as CEO of the European Tour, and the PGA Tour’s Jay Monahan recently announced the creation of a new CEO position for its commercial arm, PGA Tour Enterprises.

Sprague’s appointment also comes at a time when the PGA of America has introduced a major change in how it compensates Ryder Cup players. For the first time, players will receive direct financial compensation, with $300,000 allocated for charity and a $200,000 stipend for each participant.

Reflecting on his new role, Sprague emphasized his commitment to unifying the organization during a transformative period in the sport. “Throughout my career, I have made it a priority to bring people together around a common cause,” he said. “At a time of profound change in golf, there is also great opportunity for our association and our members.”

He added that his primary goal will be to elevate the profession of more than 30,000 PGA of America golf professionals while ensuring the health of the association and strengthening its industry relationships.

Sprague follows in the footsteps of Jim Awtrey, the first CEO of the PGA of America, who served from 1993 to 2005. Awtrey was succeeded by Joe Steranka, Pete Bevacqua, and most recently, Waugh. Before Sprague’s appointment, Kerry Haigh, the PGA of America’s chief championships officer, had been acting as interim CEO since Waugh’s retirement in June.

With his extensive experience in both club management and PGA leadership, Sprague is set to lead the PGA of America into a new chapter, navigating the evolving landscape of professional and amateur golf.