Hundreds of PGA of America Golf Professionals from around the country gathered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the 108th PGA Annual Meeting last month. The meeting, held Nov. 5-8 at the Amway Grand Plaza and hosted by the Michigan PGA Section, gave delegates the chance to vote on officer candidates, while also hearing updates on a variety of Association initiatives and taking the time to honor a number of golf industry leaders.
Officers and delegates from all 41 PGA Sections, students from PGA Golf Management University Programs and members of PGA LEAD cohort IX (and past PGA LEAD graduates) were also in attendance, as were several representatives from golf’s allied associations. Meanwhile, hundreds of PGA of America Professionals attended the 108th PGA Annual Meeting virtually by watching a livestream of the event.
Outgoing PGA of America President John Lindert of the Michigan PGA Section presided over the meeting, which included a recap of the Association’s past year. Highlights included Xander Schauffele winning the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky; Ben Polland winning the PGA Professional Championship in its first playing at Fields Ranch in Frisco, Texas; and programs like PGA HOPE and PGA Jr. League making a major impact on the game of golf. The 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, Keegan Bradley, and football legend Payton Manning also addressed attendees via video messages.
In an emotional final address as PGA of America President, Lindert thanked attendees for the opportunity to serve as PGA of America President after six years as an officer and another three serving on the Board of Control.
“I will miss being in the boardroom after nine years,” said Lindert, the PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “The board made leading easy: You spoke your mind, you fought your battles and you walked out unified. It’s been my honor and pleasure to serve you as an officer, and it’s been the privilege of a lifetime.”
Near the conclusion of the 108th PGA Annual Meeting, Don Rea Jr. (pictured above) was elevated to PGA of America President, becoming the 44th President of the Association, while Nathan Charnes moved up from PGA of America Secretary to PGA of America Vice President and Lindert transitioned to Honorary PGA of America President, all with two-year terms. “It’s an honor and a privilege to serve, alongside our officers and Board of Directors, the more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals of our Association,” Rea said. “Our Members and Associates are serving millions of golfers through this amazing game every day. I’m incredibly proud of the lives we impact collectively along the way, shoulder to shoulder with our 41 PGA of America Sections. It is our top priority to serve our PGA of America Golf Professionals, and provide resources to allow them to thrive and continue to lead as experts of the game.”
Delegates also voted for Eric Eshleman as the new PGA of America Secretary, and he immediately joined Rea and Charnes as PGA of America Officers. Eshleman, PGA of America Director of Golf at the Country Club of Birmingham (Alabama), is the 2019 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year and has served many leadership roles within the Association, including a just-concluded, three-year stint as District 3 Director.
Eshleman was elected PGA of America Secretary on the first ballot of an election that included fellow candidates Jared Barnes, Derek Gutierrez and Barry Howard.
“I’m looking forward to locking arms with Don and Nathan to work for our fellow PGA of America Members,” said Eshleman, a PGA of America Golf Professional for nearly 30 years and a Past President of the Alabama-Northwest Florida PGA Section.
PGA of America business updates
The 108th Annual Meeting also included a number of updates on PGA of America initiatives. The Association’s “We Love this Game” campaign was discussed during a panel discussion featuring Rea, 2024 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Tony Pancake and Fields Ranch PGA of America Head Professional Trish Holt. The discussion included data showing an increase in the number of consumers who understand what PGA of America Professionals do, as well as an increase in the number of PGA of America Members who would promote becoming a Member of the Association to others.
“ 'We Love this Game’ gives us a chance to talk about what we do as PGA of America Members and reach a national and global platform,” Holt said. “It’s a chance for golf lovers to understand what we do and how we create golf experiences for them. I’m very proud and fortunate to help tell our story.”
During the business portion of the meeting, the PGA of America Officers and Interim CEO Kerry Haigh provided PGA of America Members with updates on several initiatives, from budgets to corporate partnerships. Haigh pointed out the importance of protecting the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup as the main revenue drivers for the Association, and the challenges that come from the division in the men’s professional game as the PGA TOUR and LIV Golf negotiate a potential partnership.