A love of playing the game is one of the biggest reasons PGA of America Members chose to enter the golf industry, and access to championships – both playing in and attending them – is annually among the top-ranked PGA of America Member benefits.
In particular, complimentary access to allied events, especially the Masters Tournament at Augusta (Georgia) National Golf Club each April, is seen as a particularly valuable benefit to PGA of America Golf Professionals who use that access to attend one of the sport’s biggest events with a spouse, immediate family member or additional guest, like a club member.
“We’re very grateful for the complimentary access PGA of America Members receive to the Masters thanks to the members of Augusta National and Chairman Fred Ridley,” Easterbrook says. “It’s truly special they way PGA of America Members are invited and embraced at the first major championship of the year. It’s a tradition for many PGA of America Members and a bucket list opportunity for others.”
PGA of America Members from around the country are also welcome at the PGA Championship and other PGA of America spectator events throughout the year, with an on-site experience that is constantly being upgraded from year to year.
At the 2024 PGA Championship, held in May at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, the PGA Member Club area greeted hundreds of PGA of America Members and their guests throughout the week. The Kentucky PGA Section served as host, working with the PGA Championships team to design a space that was welcoming and comfortable, providing great value to the PGA of America Members in attendance.
“The PGA Member Club had a great location off the 17th tee, and I was blown away by how well-received and well-attended it was,” says Certified PGA of America Professional Sally Morgan, Executive Director of Golf House Kentucky. “I think people underestimate the value of the opportunity to attend the PGA Championship. It’s hard to beat at any major sporting event.”
In addition to providing a comfortable, climate-controlled environment throughout the PGA Championship, the PGA Member Club unveiled a new design at Valhalla that will be carried through to future PGA Championships. The design, inspired by the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas, includes picture panels with photos of PGA of America Members, a “We Love this Game” wall for visitors to write the reasons they love the sport and other reminders of the impact PGA of America Golf Professionals have on the game.
“The goal was to give PGA of America Members from our Section and from around the country a home base at our Championship – a place to connect with your peers,” Morgan says. “It’s a big perk of membership, and it’s talked about no matter where the PGA Championship is being held.
“It’s pretty cool to see so many PGA of America Members enjoying the impact that their Championship has. I know attending the Masters is a similar experience, and Members plan their trips to these major championships years in advance in some cases.”
Watching a major championship while networking in comfort is a major benefit, as is the chance to play in one. According to the most recent PGA Member Offering Survey, a third of PGA of America Golf Professionals participate in Member Championships, and more than 20 percent participate in seasonal Member tournaments like the Winter Tournament Series. And, of course, there are even more elevated experiences, like being part of the Corebridge Financial Team at the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship or KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, or being named to a PGA Cup Team to compete against international golf professionals in Ryder Cup-style play.
“We all started in golf because we love playing, it’s part of the core of who we are. Having the ability to continue that at the Section or national level is a huge benefit of PGA of America Membership,” says PGA of America Member Geoffrey Surrette, Executive Director of the Philadelphia PGA Section. “Whether you’re trying to qualify for the PGA Championships as a member of the Corebridge Financial Team, or playing in a Section pro-am where you can entertain club members, there are a lot of ways to satisfy that competitive spirit through playing.”
The Philadelphia PGA Section hosts the Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, which boasts the largest first-place prize for any PGA Section tournament at $100,000. While most PGA of America Member tournaments don’t boast that kind of prize money, they all serve to provide an opportunity for keeping one’s skills sharp and spending time on the course with your peers.
“Playing in Section and national events is a great way to continue playing golf while working as a PGA of America Member,” Surrette says. “It’s a fantastic environment, a great way to supplement your income for some, and a great competitive outlet that gets us all back to the core of our profession.”