Seth Waugh is stepping down as CEO of PGA of America after holding the position for six years. The growth PGA has seen major growth in golf participation and PGA membership over recent years.
Before being named to head the PGA of America, representing over 30,000 members, Waugh, the former CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas, joined the board as an independent director. On June 30, Waugh’s contract was renewed; he decided not to.
“It feels like the right time, not only personally but professionally,” Waugh stated. “We’ve accomplished an awful lot in the six years. The game has never been in better shape. Participation is at an all-time high. It’s growing in all the ways we hoped it would.”
After resigning as CEO, Waugh will remain with the PGA of America as a senior advisor. He’ll be at major tournaments like the Open Championship and the Olympics in Paris. He also intends to play in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black the following year.
PGA of America Begins Search for New CEO
The hunt for a new CEO has begun at the PGA of America, which is taking applications from both inside and outside the organization. Kerry Haigh, a prominent executive and chief championships officer since 1989, will take over as CEO in the interim and is not a contender for the role on a long-term basis.
“We are grateful for Seth’s leadership and for all that he accomplished for our members, our game, the business, and our people,” said PGA of America president John Lindert. “He skillfully led us through incredibly challenging times and was always a great partner.”
Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, was the first person to oversee the Deutsche Bank Championship as tournament director. Waugh has been a prominent voice in golf and business throughout his career.
“Seth’s voice on important issues has been steady and stellar as the golf world has gone through unprecedented change during his tenure,” noted Masters chairman Fred Ridley.
As CEO, Waugh’s main objective was to assist the experts who spent many hours teaching the game. This involved creating the first deferred compensation retirement plan for the PGA of America’s members in its 110-year history. Waugh accomplished this feat by utilizing his financial experience.
Waugh has been making indications about leaving since April. He first signed up for a four-year term because he thought it would be sufficient to make significant changes, likening his term to a presidential or collegiate term. In 2022, he decided to serve a two-year further term when golf’s popularity increased amid the COVID-19 epidemic.
Waugh emphasized the changing demographics of golfers, noting that 48% of all golfers are now under 35. “That’s generational growth,” he said. “You realize this generation wants to do things with purpose, and golf has purpose.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Waugh said, “The whole premise why I took this job was I felt I’d never have a chance to have more impact on more lives.”
While he has no immediate plans after his board duties at the Olympics, Waugh expressed gratitude for his journey. “Golf is one of the great engines of good on Earth,” he said. “I am perhaps the biggest all-time beneficiary of that good.”
