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PGA History

  • 1930:
    • PGA National Office moves from New York to Chicago.
    • Albert Gates is hired as business administrator and legal advisor.
    • Bobby Jones wins "Grand Slam" - USGA Open, USGA Amateur, British Open and British Amateur - then retires from active competition at 28.
    • The name "PGA" is trademarked and The Professional Golfer of America magazine is copyrighted.
    • Tommy Armour becomes the third foreign-born PGA Champion.
  • 1931:
    • The PGA of America adds and adopts a Code of Ethics to the Constitution.
  • 1932:
    • Business Administrator Albert Gates voluntarily draws less than half his salary due to economic conditions.
  • 1933:
    • George Jacobus becomes the first American-born president of The PGA. Jacobus also is the first president of the Association to rise from the caddie ranks.
    • An article by President Jacobus appears in every issue of The Professional Golfer of America magazine.
    • The Association creates an Unemployment Relief Committee as the depression worsens.
    • Membership requires a three-year apprenticeship.
  • 1934:
    • Horton Smith wins the first Masters at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club, posting a 284 for 72 holes.
  • 1935:
    • Golf Course architect A.W. Tillinghast is hired to provide PGA members with consulting service on design of their courses.
    • More than 200 PGA members participate in matches against a visiting six-man team from Japan.
  • 1936:
    • Membership in The PGA of America grows to 1,800.
    • Golf Promotion Bureau, forerunner of the National Golf Foundation, is started as a golf market development service by Herb and Joe Graffis, publishers of Golfdom.
    • The First PGA Seniors Championship is held at Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga. Jock Hutchison wins the 54-hole tournament shooting 76-75-72-223.
  • 1937:
    • The Vardon Trophy is placed in competition among American professionals. The first winner is Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper.
  • 1938:
    • Judge Earle F. Tilly endows his extensive golf library to The PGA of America.
  • 1939:
    • The Ryder Cup Matches are cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.
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PGA of America

Dedicated to growing the game

Founded in 1916, The PGA of America is the largest working sports organization in the world, comprised of more than 28,000 dedicated men and women promoting the game of golf to everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America
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Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 624-8400

PGA of America Leaders

Brian Whitcomb

Brian Whitcomb

President

Jim Remy

Jim Remy

Vice President

Allen Wronowski

Allen Wronowski

Secretary

Roger Warren

Roger Warren

Honorary President

Joe Steranka

Joe Steranka

CEO

Tickets

2008 PGA Grand Slam of Golf

Watch the most exclusive field in golf, the winners of the four major championships, compete from The Mid Ocean Course in Bermuda at the 2008 PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

2009 PGA Championship

Don't miss your chance to see the 91st PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN on Aug. 10-16, 2009.

More From the PGA of America

The PGA Foundation

The PGA Foundation is the charitable arm of The PGA of America. This philanthropic organization was founded in 1954 and is a licensed 501 (c) (3 foundation.

PGA Fall Expo

The PGA Fall Expo is the industry's premier Fall pre-book and apparel buying event.

Play Golf America

Helping To Grow The Game

One of the most important missions for the PGA of America is to promote and grow the game of golf.

 
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