In his report as secretary, Charnes pointed out that the PGA of America is at a high-water mark for Members at more than 30,000, commending the PGA Career Services staff for their work in bringing more potential PGA of America Golf Professionals into the employment pipeline. Rea’s Vice President report focused on finances and how the Association is carefully reviewing all expenditures to ensure continued strong support of the PGA Sections and PGA REACH programming.
In the New Business portion of the meeting, officers responded to a question about the USGA and R&A’s proposed rollback of golf ball distance by reiterating that the PGA of America opposes a rollback.
“It’s education, not a fight,” Rea said. “We’re educating the USGA that we are the voice of the recreational golfer, the heart and soul of the game. They tell us they don’t want to hit it shorter and they don’t want bifurcation.”
The 108th PGA Annual Meeting also devoted time to a series of breakout sessions to allow delegates the time and space for targeted conversations on a variety of topics. The topics were chosen based on member surveys and internal planning, and gave attendees a chance to connect with each other in collaboration and strategic discussion. This year’s topics included conversations with Past PGA of America Presidents, PGA Officers and Association staff, as well as PGA Innovation, best practices on mentoring and ideas for Section fundraising and revenue generation.
Recognizing industry leaders
In addition to the PGA of America Awards Ceremony recognizing the Association’s 2024 award winners (see page 82), a pair of additional honors were presented during the 2024 PGA Annual Meeting. On the opening morning of the meeting, Past PGA of America President Jim Remy was honored with the Legend of the PGA Award. The 36th PGA of America President, Remy was elected PGA of America Secretary in 2004 after seven ballots – the longest election in the Association’s history.
“It was quite a battle – it took almost three hours to get elected,” Remy recalled. “If you’re willing to help others, you can achieve incredible things; you can’t believe how many doors that open for you with that mindset.”
Remy became PGA of America President in 2008, during a global recession, and helped successfully steer the Association through a turbulent time. He also presided over an emotional ceremony in 2009 to bestow posthumous PGA of America Membership to three African American golf pioneers – John Shippen, Ted Rhodes and Bill Spiller – and an honorary membership to boxing legend Joe Louis nearly 50 years after the Caucasian-only clause was eradicated from PGA of America bylaws.
“They say you can’t turn back time, but you can do your very best to make it right,” Remy said, and he considers that ceremony one of the greatest moments in his life.
The Iowa PGA Section was also honored with the 2024 Herb Graffis Award for its dedication to growing the game of golf and furthering player development. The Iowa PGA Section is the birthplace of the programs that have become PGA HOPE and the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, and Iowa PGA Section President Erin Strieck addressed attendees following an inspirational video about the Section’s efforts to grow and serve the game of golf.
“As that video showcased, though we are a small Section, we are indeed mighty when PGA of America Professionals and others serve in an unselfish way by doing the right thing,” Strieck said. “I am privileged to lead our fine Section, and our boards and staff feel as if we are the next stewards of what the Iowa PGA is all about.”
The 108th PGA Annual Meeting also recognized the work of Detroit’s Midnight Golf Program, which is supported through PGA REACH with a PGA Places to Play grant. A dozen PGA of America Professionals support the program, which has helped mentor high school students in Detroit using golf to teach life lessons and prepare them for college over the past 23 years. According to founder and President Renee Fluker, who spoke at the PGA Annual Meeting, there are 265 students in the 30-week program this year, and Midnight Golf is opening a new facility with indoor golf simulators in January.
The group of 15 PGA of America Members who completed the New York City Marathon just days before the 108th PGA Annual Meeting were also acknowledged, having raised more than $120,000 in support of PGA REACH.