The Home of the PGA of America in PGA Frisco welcomed hundreds of attendees from across the country to the Association’s 109th Annual Meeting last month, providing PGA of America Golf Professionals with a chance to participate in the governance process and plan for the future.
The meeting, held Nov. 4-7 at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and hosted by the Northern Texas PGA Section, included officers and delegates from all 41 PGA Sections, students from PGA Golf Management University Programs and members of PGA LEAD cohort 10. Also in attendance were several representatives from golf’s allied associations and golf industry professionals. Additionally, hundreds of PGA of America Golf Professionals attended the 109th PGA Annual Meeting virtually by watching a livestream of the event.
PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. presided over the meeting, which included a recap of the Association’s past year. Highlights included Scottie Scheffler winning the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina; Tyler Collet claiming the PGA Professional Champion ship by 10 shots at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida; the first time the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship was played at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco; the continued positive impact of programs like PGA HOPE, PGA WORKS and PGA Jr. League; and the hiring of Derek Sprague, PGA, as the Association’s CEO.
“It’s a privilege and honor to be your CEO and work every day to help PGA of America Members flourish,” said Sprague. “Every decision we make as an Association is made through the lens of what’s best for the PGA Member and the game of golf.
“Each and every one of you is at the forefront of the growth and momentum of this business, and I’m convinced there’s never been a better time to be in the golf business.”
Added Rea, “Together we’re going to move this Association forward. This week is all about PGA Members, the members in this room and those we serve as delegates. We’re going to collaborate, network and lead together.”
Attendees took advantage of a picture-perfect Texas afternoon to experience the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and the entire 660-acre campus on Home of the PGA of America Day, held on Nov. 5. There was a fun tournament on The Swing short course, contests on the Dance Floor putting course and tours of the Home of the PGA of America and PGA Coaching Center powered by T-Mobile.
Honoring Broome, Worthy Section
The 109th PGA of America Annual Meeting featured many emotional moments, starting with an opening keynote speech from Captain Charlie Plumb, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot who was shot down and spent nearly six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Plumb’s inspirational story of ejecting from his jet – and eventually meeting the man who packed the parachute that saved his life – struck a chord with attendees.
“As golf professionals, you are parachute packers,” said Plumb. “I know from meeting you that you are all servants of this game. Set the example, be a leader, pack the parachutes.”
Service was also at the fore as the Northern Texas PGA Section accepted the 2025 Herb Graffis Award during the meeting. Section President Cameron Doan and Executive Director Kelly Gilley used their acceptance speech to unveil the Randy Smith Tour, a new junior golf initiative named for the 2002 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year, who was given a lengthy standing ovation. The new tour for juniors ages 6–12 is supported by Scheffler, one of Smith’s students, and will feature no-score events with ice cream at the end of rounds.
The 109th PGA of America Annual Meeting concluded with another powerful presentation, as the Association conferred PGA of America Honorary Membership on longtime industry leader Peter Broome. Broome was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, last summer at age 64. During his long career as an executive at Titleist, Broome became a friend to countless PGA of America Golf Professionals.
The progression of ALS has affected Broome’s speech, but he thanked attendees with a heartfelt address delivered with the use of AI voice technology and from his family members.
“I may have lost my speech, but I will not lose my voice,” said Broome’s son, Bradley, on his behalf. “I will wear the PGA badge with immense pride.”
Conducting Association Business
During the business portion of the meeting, PGA of America Officers and Sprague provided PGA Members with updates on several initiatives, from budgets to corporate partnerships.
Sprague’s CEO report covered the successful economic results driven by the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup, as well as the 2025 PGA Show – the largest in 15 years – and PGA Buying Summit, and the Association’s focus on doing business with companies that prioritize PGA of America Golf Professionals.
In his report as Vice President, Nathan Charnes discussed financial strategies and challenges for the PGA of America – with a goal of breaking even on a cash basis over the next four years while not drawing on the Association’s reserve fund. PGA of America Secretary Eric Eshleman’s report detailed the 22 percent increase in PGA Associates over the past year, and the Board of Control distributed $127,000 to recipients through the Association’s Medical and Disaster Relief Fund.
The 2025 PGA Annual Meeting also devoted time to a series of breakout sessions to allow delegates to participate in 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 PGA Officers and Association staff, and the breakouts were structured to provide extra time for attendees to network with each other.
Multiple Expert Presentations and Omni Updates
Attendees also heard thought-provoking presentations throughout the 109th PGA Annual Meeting. PGA Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott gave a presentation updating information provided at last year’s meeting about technology and AI, showcasing the rapid advance of the technology and implications for golf professionals. PGA of America Master Professional Dr. Alison Curdt joined Scott onstage to explain how she uses AI to assist her coaching business, while PGA of America Member and entrepreneur Jaime Sharp explained ways AI will impact the golf business going forward.
PGA of America Chief Commercial and Philanthropy Officer Jeff Price led a panel discussion about the NBA’s TMBO initiative – a way for the basketball league’s 30 teams to share business information for the benefit of all franchises. The insights were useful as delegates look to improve communications between PGA Sections, while enhancing efficiency and leverageing ideas and data.
Plus, attendees heard from Omni Resorts President Kurt Alexander, who unveiled multiple new perks for PGA of America Members visiting Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa – including $100 green fees on the Fields Ranch East and West courses, and $199 room rates at the resort.
“We want to keep making the experience better for PGA of America Members at Omni PGA Frisco, and we’ve been working with the PGA to do exactly that,” Alexander said. “We want all PGA Members to be raving fans of Omni Resorts.”
